Gilliam County court signs off on environmental RFP for Cedar Springs Road project

The Gilliam County Court on Dec. 18 agreed to proceed with an environmental engineering request for proposals (RFP) for the Cedar Springs Road project, a multi-year effort county officials said is aimed at improving safety and access in the area used by Waste Management and other heavy users.

The court’s action authorized staff to complete and issue an RFP for environmental and engineering assessment work and to return to the court with findings and recommendations once the assessments are complete.

County officials and committee members told the court the project is intended to address safety problems created by increased truck traffic, long freight trains that block crossings and access for emergency vehicles, and worn road surfaces. Dewey Kennedy of the county road department described the project as one that would put new alignment and hardened surfaces in place, and several commissioners and members of the Citizen Advisory Committee described the work as a potential “win-win” for the county and for Waste Management.

Planning staff warned the court that if any portion of the realignment affects exclusive farm-use land, the county will need to pursue a goal exception or similar planning approval before construction; Stephanie Case, planning staff, said past notes suggest a possible realignment but that exact alignments remain preliminary.

Court members stressed the project remains in preliminary phases. Commissioners directed staff to proceed with the assessment work, including environmental reviews, and to report back when studies are complete. County staff and committee members noted that seasonal constraints (for example, nesting or plant-survey windows) will affect scheduling and that the assessment timeline will likely stretch six months to a year before any construction decision.

Court discussion also referenced funding sources and agreements: the court discussed using maintenance or tonnage fees from Waste Management to cover much of the cost and noted those fees already included in prior budgeting. County staff confirmed the county will hold a mandatory pre-proposal meeting for engineering firms and that two firms — Anderson Perry and Tennyson Engineering — had expressed interest.

The court did not hold a roll-call vote recorded in the minutes for this direction; the action was recorded as the court’s consensus direction to proceed with the environmental/engineering procurement and studies.

The court asked staff to return with the RFP results, environmental findings and any legal steps needed before a construction authorization. Commissioners said they will also request legal review about any necessary formal action once assessments show the project is feasible.

For now the court’s authorization covers only procurement and environmental assessment work, not construction or right-of-way vacatur.