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Meeker resident warns commissioners about corrosion risk on County Road 202 bridge, urges inspection and cathodic protection
Summary
A Meeker resident and retired corrosion engineer told commissioners the County Road 202 bridge shows electrochemical corrosion and asked the county to inspect and consider protective measures such as sacrificial anodes or impressed-current systems; commissioners referred the comment to Road & Bridge for follow-up.
During the Sept. 23 public‑comment period a longtime resident raised safety concerns about an apparently corroding metal bridge on County Road 202. The speaker, who described himself as a retired corrosion engineer, told the board he observed corroding metal where the bridge structure meets soil and river water and urged the county to assess cathodic (electrochemical) corrosion and consider protective measures.
What the speaker said - Identification and background: The speaker said professional engineers previously inspected the bridge and that he has experience with pipeline and structure corrosion (sacrificial anode and impressed‑current rectifier systems). - Observations: He said rust and localized metal loss had been observed below grade and that recent decking work may have created new galvanic bonds that accelerate electrochemical corrosion. He described past instances where small holes and localized loss of metal were noticed but the problem can be “hidden” until structural elements are thin. - Recommended mitigations: He recommended the county consider sacrificial anodes (buried anode beds) or impressed-current rectifier systems to protect the submerged/hardened structural metal and suggested testing points to measure corrosion control performance.
Board response and next steps - Commissioners thanked the resident and asked that the concern be passed to Road & Bridge for further inspection and follow-up. Road & Bridge staff had previously inspected the structure, but the board directed staff to re-review the bridge condition, provide a written report, and consult engineers experienced in cathodic protection if necessary.
Why it matters: Bridges and metal structural elements exposed to soil and water can suffer progressive, hard‑to‑see electrochemical corrosion that may compromise structural integrity and public safety. The county’s Road & Bridge department will evaluate whether targeted corrosion control measures are warranted and whether any near‑term traffic advisories or repairs are needed.
Ending Commissioners asked staff to investigate and return with recommended next steps and cost estimates if cathodic protection or other remediation is appropriate.
