Lewis County to assume responsibility for 12 town bridges; legislature approves multiple ownership transfers

Lewis County legislators moved to accept ownership of a dozen town and village bridges after a highway presentation outlining inspection requirements, replacement costs and local funding burdens.

The county presentation explained that bridges with a deck span of 20 feet or longer are inspected by a licensed engineer every two years and entered in the Bridge Data Information System (BDIS). County staff said towns sometimes cannot afford their 5% local share for replacement projects — a share that can amount to roughly $100,000 on a $2,000,000 replacement — and that taking ownership can reduce the risk of long-term closures.

County presenter John Reid described the county's inspection and maintenance workflow and the selection criteria for the initial group of town bridges the county proposes to take over. He told legislators Lewis County currently owns and maintains 86 bridges and that the county highway crew conducts spring washing, documents repairs, and performs summer preventive maintenance. Reid said the county identified 12 town- and village-owned bridges to add to…