Roads staff alerted the supervisors to serious structural decay on a wooden bridge on 265th Street and described the reason for closing vehicle access.

Staff described the bridge as an 89-year-old structure with rotten stringers and failing abutments caused by stream erosion. "The tips of the piling are starting to tip outwards, and that whole area right there is extremely unstable," the roads representative said while showing photos. The stringers and handrails were reported as cracked and ‘‘structurally deficient.’’

Because the bridge carries little traffic on a Level B road and one landowner retains access from the other side, staff recommended erecting heavy-duty posts and permanent closure measures to prevent crossings. "We put a series of heavy duty posts in front of it, mark it with a closure," staff said, noting that some people might attempt all-terrain access but that the closure would make that difficult.

Supervisors agreed the closure was appropriate for public safety and asked staff to proceed with permanent barriers and signage. Staff noted they have already provided other maintenance to ensure local access to adjacent property but will prevent crossing the bridge.

Next step: secondary roads staff will install permanent closure measures and report completion to the board.