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Hand County advances bridge projects, approves DOT authorizations and discusses drainage policy
Summary
County highway staff briefed commissioners on road and bridge finances, identified structurally vulnerable timber‑abutment bridges and proposed lowered load postings, discussed pre‑purchasing precast box culverts to speed DOT projects, and approved DOT authorization paperwork for bridge work and removal of two small bridges.
Hand County’s highway department presented a detailed briefing on road and bridge finances, project plans and DOT coordination, including requests that commissioners sign required DOT authorization forms.
Highway staff reported a year‑end cash position and highlighted large vendor invoices tied to recent material purchases. The department proposed moving available payroll dollars into materials to make a substantial payment to a materials supplier (Brownlee) and described anticipated payment schedules. Staff said equipment lines are strained — chip spreaders, broom attachments and pneumatic packers are aging or undersized — and that the department is monitoring marketplaces for suitable replacements.
Brad Stanger, introduced during the meeting as an All‑Tech engineer, gave a bridges update. He identified bridge #26125 as having timber abutment rot at the waterline and recommended reducing the posted legal load to extend its service life (Stanger described lowering the allowable rating to around 70% of legal capacity for some vehicles). Stanger discussed past attempts at state grant funding, plans to reapply for multiple replacement projects, and explained that pre‑purchasing precast box culverts can shorten schedules and broaden contractor competition.
Commissioners approved DOT project authorizations and certifications (letting authorization, right‑of‑way certificate, utility certificate and encroachment survey certification) for a bridge project the county had inspected, and they also approved resolutions to remove two small bridges from the National Bridge Inventory list and proceed with removals in the coming spring. Highway staff noted one removal site where landowners are now seeking access after previously unused roads had grown over; staff said the township will manage ongoing access decisions.
On drainage and right‑of‑way policy, highway staff proposed adding permit‑level language to right‑of‑way applications (one‑call registration/locate and indemnity language) and discussed whether drainage regulation should be a separate county ordinance. Commissioners noted enforcement limits — a resolution provides transparency but an ordinance would be required for prosecutable enforcement — and asked staff and legal counsel to draft appropriate permit language and indemnities for future review.
No final design or funding award decisions were made at the meeting; commissioners authorized staff to proceed with DOT paperwork, continue grant applications and return with contract or funding specifics when available.
