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Commission discusses FEMA mitigation options, including box culvert for historic Turner Cemetery bridge
Summary
County staff and engineers described FEMA mitigation steps for storm-damaged bridges and boat ramps, proposing a box culvert at Turner Cemetery to limit footprint and simplify permitting; commissioners weighed preservation of a historic wooden bridge against improved emergency access and higher load capacity.
County staff updated the Baker County commission Dec. 17 on seven storm-related mitigation projects that have advanced to FEMA and state review and requested direction on several priorities.
Dennis, the county project presenter, summarized recent site inspections with FEMA and engineers and said the engineer proposed replacing the Turner Cemetery wooden bridge with a box-culvert structure to maintain the existing footprint, reduce permitting hurdles and increase load capacity to about 80,000 pounds. Staff emphasized that keeping the footprint would avoid right-of-way complications and make FEMA mitigation more likely to be approved.
Commissioners expressed mixed views. Some favored the box-culvert option for long-term resilience and emergency access, citing the ability for fire trucks to pass and fewer future replacements. Others underscored the bridge's historic value as the county's last wooden bridge and urged cautious consideration if replacement would remove an irreplaceable local landmark. Commissioners also asked staff to obtain final engineer cost estimates and to clarify right-of-way needs before a final decision.
Staff said five projects have already moved forward in FEMA’s process; two steel-bridge projects have not yet advanced and staff will follow up with state contacts. The board gave staff direction to continue coordination with FEMA and the state and to return with the engineer’s final report and estimated costs.
Ending: Staff will provide the engineer’s final report, cost estimates and right-of-way implications to guide a subsequent board decision.
