Bridge inventory shows Delaware County below state averages for load‑restricted structures, consultant says

United Consulting engineers presented Delaware County’s Phase 2 bridge inspection report and summary, telling commissioners the county compares favorably to Indiana averages and identifying maintenance items and top rehabilitation candidates.

Jeff Larson of United Consulting introduced Marcus Kagan, who presented the inspection findings. Kagan said bridges over 20 feet require inspections every two years and that the Federal Highway Administration will reimburse counties for a portion of inspection costs. He highlighted that Delaware County has 7.6% of its bridges requiring load restrictions, versus a state average of 13.1%, and 3.6% requiring increased inspection frequency versus the state average of 6.1%.

The consultant provided a maintenance “honey‑do” list (brush clearing, guardrail repair, cleaning joints and salt removal) intended for highway crews to perform when time allows. Kagan said eight of the county’s top 10 candidates for replacement or rehabilitation are already planned or under construction within the next five years. United Consulting emphasized the interactive PDF report and offered rapid response to highway staff questions as part of the ongoing contract.

Commissioners and the highway director discussed local maintenance capacity, power washing under bridges, and the need to get the maintenance recommendations to highway crews. A county highway official told commissioners the department performs many routine maintenance tasks, including winter sweeping, approach work and brush cutting, and that crews respond within 24 hours to citizen reports.