Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves relocation of water line for Texas Road bridge; county to reduce cost by clearing brush
Summary
The Franklin County Commission authorized relocation of a water line tied to the Texas Road bridge project with a contractor estimate of $115,551; the county will perform brush removal to reduce the contractor cost by $22,950. The bridge project is funded with $1 million in state money and the project is reported to be slightly under that amount.
The Franklin County Commission voted Jan. 29 to approve relocation of a water line needed for the Texas Road bridge project and to proceed with the work under terms presented by county staff.
Public works staff said the county needs to move a water line just south of Sand Creek to clear the construction limits for the bridge. Staff presented a contractor estimate of $115,551 to relocate the line and told the commission the county can lower the contractor cost by performing brush and scrub removal itself, saving approximately $22,950.
"We had an unexpected expenditure on relocating a water line for the bridge on Texas Road just south of Sand Creek," a county staff member said. The staff member said the water board submitted the request and identified a preferred contractor; staff recommended the commission commit to the relocation given the timing of project bidding and the funding situation.
Commissioners also discussed project funding. Staff said the county has $1 million in state funding for the Texas Road bridge project and that the project cost is slightly under that amount. A county representative told the commission no federal funds were received for the project.
A motion to approve the waterline relocation as presented was made and seconded; a subsequent roll call recorded unanimous approval by the five commissioners present.
County staff and the water district representative discussed cost‑saving options and said they will continue to seek ways to further limit taxpayer expense while ensuring the relocation is completed to avoid delaying the bridge letting. The meeting record shows the county will perform brush removal to capture the $22,950 reduction in contractor cost.
Separately, during staff reports, county public works noted the Bettis lease by the landfill dates from 2017 and runs 15 years, making it roughly due to expire in 2032; staff said they will provide additional information about the Public Works Yard in coming days. Staff also reported a per‑mile chip‑seal cost comparison from recent work: $27,053 per mile using limestone versus $31,748 per mile using Haydite, a savings of about $4,600 per mile by switching to limestone.
The commission did not authorize additional funding beyond the relocation approval at the meeting; staff indicated they have secured the state funds for the bridge and will continue coordinating with the water board and contractor.
