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County moves to apply for $750,000 planning grant for County Road 46 bridge project
Summary
Committee authorizes applying for a $750,000 grant to cover phase A planning for a proposed new bridge on County Road 46 and conversion of the old bridge to a trail; planning is estimated at $1.25 million with a remaining funding gap.
Allegany County's Ways and Means committee authorized staff on Feb. 27 to apply for a $750,000 planning grant for the County Road 46 bridge project, a proposal that would fund phase A planning for a new bridge and convert the existing structure into a tourism trail.
County staff told the committee the phase A planning process is estimated to cost $1.25 million, leaving a $500,000 gap if the $750,000 award were the only new funding. The committee heard that approximately $100,000 of prior “old money” has been set aside for the Old County Road 46 bridge account and could be applied toward the project if additional grant funding is not secured.
Members pressed staff on the project’s $16 million construction estimate and on whether the county would need to commit local funds to follow through if federal or state money were curtailed. Staff said the $16 million figure came from previous research (attributed to a staff member named Tom) and that the grant before the committee would fund only the planning phase; any construction spending would require future approvals, bidding and additional funding.
Committee discussion cited public-safety concerns and transportation access in the northern part of the county, noting limited bridge crossings for emergency vehicles, school transportation and commercial traffic. One member said that prior boards had questioned cost effectiveness on similar bridge proposals but that the planning phase should at least be pursued to seek outside funding.
The motion to apply for the $750,000 planning grant passed by voice vote. Staff said they will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities and return to the board if acceptance of awards or local matches is required.
Votes at the meeting were carried by voice vote; staff will provide further cost documentation on the construction estimate and potential funding sources when available.
