Public works reports three certified bridge inspectors, inspections align with six-year plan

Kittitas County Public Works presented its annual bridge inspection report during a public works study session, reporting the department now has three certified bridge inspectors and is training a fourth.

Cameron Curtis, Public Works staff, said the county completes most routine bridge inspections in-house and relies on consultant services for specialty inspections, such as non-redundant steel-structure reviews and dive (underwater) inspections. "We are handling, I would say, a majority of our bridge inspections in house," Curtis said. He told commissioners the report includes recommendations for replacement and repair that closely match the county's six-year plan.

Curtis said 14 bridges are in the MDIS system and an additional 50 do not meet that MDIS criteria; the county inspects all listed bridges on a two-year cycle. The report is also submitted to the County Road Administration Board (CRAB).

A commissioner asked how the county coordinates inspections when bridges cross irrigation districts or federal projects and whether different codes apply. Josh Gregerson of Public Works responded that state certification requirements are based on federal inspection standards: "We follow the state standards and requirements, and that matches up with the federal requirements for the inspection," Gregerson said. He added the county inspects to state standards and reports results back to the state and federal systems as required.

No formal action or vote was associated with the report; commissioners accepted the presentation and had no further direction recorded.