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Commissioners authorize staff to negotiate right-of-way options after decades of broken bridge access
Summary
After a lengthy history of closures and fragmented records, the board authorized county staff to contact landowners to negotiate access or easements to restore property access around a closed railroad bridge and a damaged Cane Creek crossing.
County staff briefed commissioners on decades of mixed records and past actions involving the Cane Creek crossing and a nearby railroad bridge; staff asked for permission to begin negotiations with adjacent landowners so the county can regain a usable right-of-way without immediately funding an expensive bridge reconstruction.
Staff told the board that records are inconsistent: meeting minutes and prior actions dating back to the 1980s and 2000s show conflicting responsibilities for maintenance and past repairs — including a CSX/railroad bridge for which the county previously accepted responsibility after a cost-sharing arrangement. Commissioners and staff reviewed minutes showing past state and private contributions and said the current railroad bridge was recently closed after state inspection declared it unsafe.
The county administrator reported that Cane Creek’s creek bridge had been closed for decades in some records and that landowners now lack direct access after a recent closure of the railroad bridge. Several property owners and a farm were identified in the parcel mapping shown at the podium.
Staff asked for approval to contact property owners Kim Brothers Farms LLC, Cane Creek Ranch LLC and JRL PB Investments LLC to negotiate a right-of-way or access that would let owners reach property without rebuilding the costly railroad bridge. The board made and seconded a motion to authorize those conversations; commissioners voted in favor.
Commissioners stressed that any negotiated access must consider public-safety needs and that the county should avoid spending scarce funds on an expensive timber/rail bridge repair before exploring less-costly alternatives. One commissioner said the board should also pursue state assistance because the railroad bridge closure followed a state inspection.
Action: Motion passed to authorize county staff to initiate discussions with named landowners about right-of-way and access options; staff will return with options and cost estimates. No funds were appropriated at this meeting.
Ending: Staff will continue researching historical minutes and deed records, pursue negotiations with the identified landowners and present alternatives (deed conveyance, easement, low‑cost crossing) and whatever cost estimates are available before the board considers funding.
