Residents and commissioners press county on road and bridge maintenance; WSDOT to replace bridge lighting
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Summary
Public commenters and commissioners raised concerns about deteriorating sections of Highway 411, a log jam under the Allen Street Bridge, and debris in Silver Lake; staff said WSDOT will replace lighting on the Peter Crawford Bridge and clarified local versus state responsibility for specific structures.
Local residents and commissioners pressed county staff about a range of transportation and infrastructure issues, from pavement deterioration to bridge debris and interagency responsibilities.
A member of the public described worsening pavement and landslide damage on Highway 411, saying a low-riding car must slow to about 5 mph to pass safely and urging an engineering inspection. County staff said they would contact the local state maintenance yard but emphasized limited county authority over state roads.
County engineer Susan Eugenis also relayed a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announcement that crews would replace lighting on the Peter Crawford Bridge with pedestrian-friendly fixtures, with single-lane closures Monday–Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through mid-March.
Commissioners raised concerns about a 30–40-foot log jam beneath the Allen Street Bridge and asked who is responsible for removal; staff responded that the bridge is owned and maintained by the city of Kelso, which is responsible for removal though the county inspects it under an interlocal agreement. When asked about debris inside Silver Lake, staff said debris in the lake falls under waters of the state jurisdiction while fish-program responsibilities remain with the county.
What to expect: staff said they would notify WSDOT maintenance contacts and pass along public concerns; the county will monitor issues that affect county infrastructure but said some work requires state or city action.