County engineer updates commissioners on bridge, sidewalk and grant workload; public-works security system now online

Cole County staff updated commissioners on a cluster of infrastructure projects and reported that a new security system at the county shop is fully operational.

The county engineer reported several grant-funded projects are approaching bid-ready status, including the larger Tanner Bridge project, a smaller Sturbridge Road project, a CDBG project in South Brooks, and a sidewalk project. The engineer said the Tanner Bridge project is expected to go to bid in a few weeks and that the county is waiting on clearance from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) on one element.

"Tanner Bridge is the big one, and that's ready to bid here in a couple weeks," a county speaker said. The same speaker said the bridge work includes realignment and will be a substantial undertaking; staff estimated the construction and reopening of the bridge would take about a year once work begins.

Separately, public works staff reported that the shop's upgraded security system and automatic gate are operational. The system allows the county to issue individual credentials (fobs or temporary codes) for access, activate gates remotely for deliveries, and close the gate automatically after entry. Staff said the gate and credentialing will reduce reliance on a single shared gate code and improve security and convenience for deputies and staff who need after-hours access to the shop and fuel.

Commissioners discussed scheduling, easement work for grant projects and the administrative burden of grant management; staff said several projects require dozens of easements and that the grant cycle has been administratively heavy.

No formal votes were taken on project approvals or funding during the update.