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Longview council authorizes purchase of towable crash attenuator to protect public‑works crews
Summary
Council approved Resolution 25-71 to buy a Scorpion 2 towable truck‑mounted attenuator. Staff said the device will improve worker safety during emergency water and sewer repairs and can be used across fleet vehicles; cost fits within current budgets and will be split between water and sewer.
The Longview City Council on July 22 approved Resolution 25-71 authorizing the purchase of a Scorpion 2 towable truck‑mounted attenuator for public‑works operations.
Assistant City Manager Chris Collins described the device to the council as a towable crash attenuator that attaches to a dump truck to absorb rear impacts and protect crews working roadside. "It is designed to absorb and redirect any energy from rear impacts," Collins said, adding the model is towable, MASH certified and rebuildable after impact.
Collins told council the attenuator is intended primarily for after‑hours water and sewer emergency repairs on busy industrial and arterial routes, including Industrial Way and Ocean Beach Highway. He said existing work‑zone protections — cones and signs — provide minimal crew protection in congested or distracted‑driving conditions and that a towable attenuator is the most effective mitigation for rear‑end collisions in those settings.
Staff said the purchase can be accommodated within current budgets and the cost will be split between the water and sewer funds; the device can be moved between trucks in the city's fleet so other departments can borrow it when needed. Collins said the water and sewer division expects the majority of immediate emergency uses will be for its crews, while other departments may schedule use or request a future purchase for their own operations.
Council members asked about possible insurance or grant offsets; Collins said the Washington Cities Insurance Authority has a grant program that might help cover part of the cost.
The council moved, seconded and approved Resolution 25-71 on a voice vote. No individual roll‑call votes were recorded in the transcript; the motion was recorded as carried.
Staff listed worker safety and reduced exposure to injury and very large potential liability costs as primary financial justifications for the purchase. The device will be added to the fleet equipment pool and tracked by fleet management.
