County approves $600,000 bridge appropriation, bundles five small-bridge designs and posts a 17‑ton limit on Bridge 9

Joe Copeland, the county highway engineer, asked commissioners to authorize SJCA to design five smaller bridge replacements as a bundled contract and presented a $180,000 design estimate covering survey and hydraulic work.

Copeland said the bundled approach aims to reduce unit costs and that design work would allow the county to bid construction next year. Commissioners gave verbal approval for Copeland to continue with SJCA engineering work and said they would return with formal funding authorization.

Separately, Copeland reviewed Community Crossing matching grants and reported that the county council approved a $600,000 appropriation from renewable funds for bridge projects this year; commissioners voted to appropriate the $600,000 for Copeland’s bridge program and asked staff to confirm funding account details before formal disbursement.

Following an underwater inspection on a large concrete bridge (Bridge 9, roughly 243 feet), Copeland recommended posting a 17‑ton limit to reduce heavy-truck traffic that was causing noticeable movement in the structure. Jay Long, Randolph County Highway Superintendent, confirmed 'no trucks' postings on River Road and said he observed the bridge shaking under heavy loads. Commissioners moved and approved giving the county engineer authority to post Bridge 9 at 17 tons to protect the structure while enforcement and routing are clarified.

Commissioners directed Copeland to bring any required task orders and formal funding requests back to the next meeting for appropriation action.