County discusses High Risk Rural Roads grant, bridge replacement priorities and laydown yard lease
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Summary
Staff outlined an HRRR grant application to improve culverts and add shoulders on a high-traffic evacuation/evacuation route; commissioners reviewed a prioritized bridge replacement list and discussed leasing three acres of Blackberry property for stockpiling rock and materials.
County public works staff briefed the commission on three related transportation items: pursuing a federal High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) grant to address safety concerns on a section of a county route, a multi-year bridge replacement and rehabilitation priority list, and a proposal to lease land for a material stockpile/laydown yard.
HRRR grant: Staff described applying to the federal HRRR program (competitive funds requiring a 10% local match) for work on a segment identified in the local road safety plan, including culvert extension/replacement, removing drop-offs, flattening slopes and installing 6-foot shoulders. Wolf Creek provided a letter of support; staff said the grant application deadline is at the end of the month and any award would fund work in 2028. "Wolf Creek has given us a letter of support to submit with this application," staff said, stressing the road is an emergency route used by plant personnel.
Bridges: The county engineer presented a prioritized list of bridges in need of rehabilitation or replacement, noting two bridges already scheduled and several others rated poor. Staff recommended a multi-year approach (two to three structures per year) to use special-bridge funds and to increase readiness for grant applications by preparing design work in advance.
Laydown yard lease: Road & Bridge staff proposed leasing three acres on Blackberry property near Charlotte (Pulp Road) for $200 per acre per month ($600/month; $7,200/year) to stockpile rock and materials closer to southeast county projects. Commissioners discussed lease vs. purchase and agreed to pursue a draft lease and explore purchase options later.
Next steps: Proceed with HRRR application, prepare design packages to strengthen grant submissions, and draft a lease for the laydown yard for commission review.
