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Elk County authorizes PennDOT-led procurement for bridge inspections covering 35 bridges
Summary
Commissioners approved a letter to PennDOT to begin selecting a consultant for six years of bridge inspections; county staff said 35 bridges with spans of 20 feet or greater are in scope and that inspections are funded 80% by PennDOT and 20% via municipal liquid fuels allocations.
Elk County commissioners on Jan. 2 authorized county staff to work with PennDOT to select a consultant to perform bridge inspections countywide for a six-year period covering three two-year inspection cycles.
Tracy, the county planning director, told commissioners the scope covers bridges with spans 20 feet or greater and that the current procurement is expected to include 35 such bridges owned by the county and local municipalities. She said PennDOT pays about 80% of inspection costs and that the remaining 20% is deducted from municipal liquid fuels allocations; planning staff emphasized the agreement being approved at the meeting is a letter to start the selection process, not the final contract.
County staff said Keller Engineers has been the current consultant and that the intent is to issue letters of interest by April or May and to have a consultant under contract by August so inspections can continue without interruption once the current contract expires Oct. 1.
Planning staff and commissioners discussed that inspection frequency is typically every two years but can be more frequent if inspections show deficiencies; they stressed the inspections are an early-warning mechanism to identify bridges that might require posting, weight limits or, in worst cases, closure. Commissioners noted the county uses Act 13 funds and other sources to help municipalities with expensive bridge repairs when inspections identify needed work.
The motion to authorize the PennDOT procurement process passed on a voice vote. Staff listed follow-up tasks to solicit letters of interest and to coordinate subsequent inspections and municipal briefings.
