Page County engineer reports progress on Essex bridge, J64 guardrail; supervisors ask conservation board to interview applicants

Page County Engineer JD King updated the Board of Supervisors on winter operations, ongoing bridge work at Essex and planning for a J64 guardrail project.

King told supervisors crews have been cutting and piling brush in several locations for controlled burning when conditions allow, have hauled sand and mixed materials at the county mix building, and have sourced road salt and plow-equipment parts. On the Essex North bridge, contractors poured the footing for the north pier, turned off pumps after the pour and are awaiting suitable weather to haul large beams from Iowa Falls for the south span. King said the north pier column and cap placements are the remaining substructure items and that progress on those concrete placements is good when weather permits.

King also said the contract for the J64 guardrail project is fully signed and staff are planning a bridge approach work for one of three bridges ahead of guardrail installation. He said the county will adjust the budget to account for recent pay raises once supervisors determine transfer amounts.

On a separate personnel matter, supervisors reviewed three applicants for a vacancy on the Page County Conservation Board. Conservation Director Michelle told the board it is difficult to judge applicants on paper and recommended conducting interviews; supervisors agreed that the conservation board should interview the applicants, that Michelle and staff may sit in on interviews, and that the conservation board should return a recommendation to the supervisors for a final appointment vote.

Ending Supervisors asked county conservation staff to arrange interviews and to return with a recommendation for appointment at the conservation board’s next meeting.