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White County approves on-call engineering, inspection and right-of-way contracts for multiple bridge projects
Summary
The White County Commissioners approved a series of on-call and construction-inspection contracts intended to support upcoming bridge work on 900 East and right-of-way acquisition for bridges on Moots and Baker creeks. Commissioners discussed project sequencing, inspection schedules and funding timing.
White County Commissioners approved several on-call engineering and construction inspection agreements and authorized consultant work for right-of-way acquisition to support a multi-year slate of bridge and roadway projects.
The actions at the meeting included approval of an on-call general services agreement with SJCA (presented by Josh Gaskell of SJCA), acceptance of USI’s on-call consultant contract with a 12-month review requirement, approval of a construction-inspection contract amendment with HWC for Bridges 17 and 54 on 900 East, and authorization of consulting contracts for right-of-way acquisition for Bridge 237 (Moots Creek, SR 150 West) and Bridge 183 (Baker Creek, 1075 West).
The commissioners and highway staff discussed how the contracts will be used. Josh Gaskell, business development, SJCA, said SJCA offers civil and transportation engineering services including bridge inspection and that the SJCA agreement is an on-call general services arrangement to let the county request work as needed. Highway staff described on-site construction inspection as an observation role to monitor contractor work, testing and documentation for concrete, rebar and pile driving. Commissioners asked that on-call agreements be terminable on short notice; SJCA and other presenters confirmed standard termination language and said county staff could request contract terms be adjusted (SJCA noted a typical two-year term with 30 days’ termination, while commissioners asked for a 12-month review cycle for other consultant contracts).
Highway staff said underwater inspections are required on an approximately five-year basis and that the county has eight bridges that require underwater inspection. Commission staff and consultants outlined the schedule: Milestone’s preconstruction meeting for Bridges 54 and 17 was tentatively planned for April 22 (staff said they expected the contractor to provide a summer construction schedule with closure dates). Bridge 54 work is planned for this summer; Bridge 17 is planned for the following year. Separate right-of-way consultant contracts for Bridges 237 and 183 were described as part of the federal-aid process; those projects are on a timeline that shows design/right-of-way acquisition work now and bidding in fall 2027 with construction anticipated in 2028.
Commissioners emphasized the importance of having funding and permits in place well in advance of construction and asked staff to assemble the project lists and funding plans to support future Community Crossings or similar grant applications. Staff noted that some paving, culvert and small-structure work on the same corridors is planned in later phases (2026–2027 and beyond) and that property acquisition, utility relocations and surveying are ongoing tasks needed to hold project schedules.
The motions to accept the SJCA on-call agreement, the USI consultant contract (with annual review), the HWC construction-inspection amendment for Bridges 17 and 54, and the right-of-way consulting contracts for Bridges 237 and 183 were each moved, seconded and approved by voice vote (recorded in the minutes as "All those in favor say aye — motion passes").
