County engineer reports bridge program progress; Starbuck, Eaton and King Grade prioritized for funding
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Summary
The county engineer reported sufficiency ratings and project status for 62 bridges, noted eight designated structurally deficient bridges, and described design and funding status for several bridge replacements including Vernon Smith (recently replaced), Starbuck (90% plans), Eaton (funded and in design) and Bailiesburg (in alignment work).
The county engineer updated the Board of Commissioners on the county bridge program, saying the average sufficiency rating for the county’s 62 bridges is 81.54 and that eight bridges are designated structurally deficient.
He reported Vernon Smith Bridge has been replaced and Starbuck is at more than 90% plan development and should go to contract this year. Eaton Bridge is funded and under design; Bailiesburg is funded and progressing through alignment work. The engineer said King Grade Bridge is a one-lane wooden structure with a low sufficiency rating (cited as about 28.9) and is a strong candidate for replacement; Bosley Bridge (in the Tucannon area) has a low load rating and is likely to need full replacement.
The engineer noted federal and state prioritization: some bridges rank highly statewide because of federal-access considerations and traffic function. He explained the typical construction sequencing (build half at a time to avoid long detours) and the constraints imposed by fish windows and seasonal in-water work, estimating some projects will span two construction seasons.
The county is updating environmental (NEPA) documentation for one bridge relocation and planned right-of-way acquisition with the goal of moving to advertisement and construction during the year if funding and acquisitions proceed on schedule.
