Commission approves contracting certified diver for bridge underwater work

The Covington County Commission approved an agreement to hire a certified commercial diver to assist county bridge crews with underwater inspections and encasement work, including an upcoming project at Potter Road.

County staff told commissioners the diver is certified in bridge inspection and commercial diving and will serve as a safety and inspection resource for deep-water encasements around bridge foundations. Staff said the arrangement likely will save money compared with prior approaches and that the Potter Road crossing is the next deep site requiring the equipment and expertise.

Commissioner Holmes moved to enter the agreement; Commissioner Rick McGahay seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Staff described an immediate schedule: crews planned to pour encasements the next morning, set a cap the following day and begin abutment work the next week. The transcript notes county crews received components the morning of the meeting and that weather remained a variable affecting timing. Commissioners did not specify contract dollar amounts or the contract term in the recorded remarks.