County advances two bridges for winter letting; considers short-term aid for Miles sewer collapse

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 28 approved a resolution to advance two bridge projects to fiscal year 2026 letting so they may be publicly bid this winter.

County engineer Jayden Shekel told the board inspections completed this spring and summer showed the Seventeenth Street bridge had a deteriorated substructure rating and that, after review, replacement rather than a minor repair "makes sense" because the remainder of the structure also showed decline. The board approved Resolution 1151-10-28-2025 to move the Seventeenth Street and 458 Avenue bridges into FY2026 letting so DOT bid and letting rules are met.

Shekel also reported that the City of Miles notified the county of a collapsing 24-inch storm sewer under Ferry Road (also known as 500th Avenue). Shekel said his office's preliminary cost estimate for replacing the inlet-to-inlet crossing is about $30,000 including contingencies and that Eastern Eagle Excavating provided availability and preliminary quotes.

City officials told the engineer they do not have immediate funds for the replacement. Shekel proposed that, if the county assists, it could contract and pay for the work and withhold the city's FM-extension funds until the county is reimbursed. Board members asked staff to explore alternatives, including RCTP funding, use of county carryover or in-kind assistance, and to check whether FM-extension reimbursements to cities still function as previously arranged.

The board directed staff to gather additional information (funding amounts the city retains, RCTP eligibility, contractor availability and cost estimates) and report back within a week. Supervisors said they would consider assistance if the situation worsens into an emergency; no final county commitment was made at the meeting.