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Commissioners authorize bridge studies and testing: covered bridge spec review and Bridge 17 inspection approved
Summary
The board approved up to $10,000 for a USI load‑rating and specification review for a covered bridge roof project and authorized on‑call inspection services for Bridge 17 (testing at $198/hr); commissioners also asked for additional watershed/surveyor data before committing to a full Bridge 17 design contract.
County highway staff updated commissioners on multiple bridge projects and received authorization for two near‑term steps.
For a historic covered bridge, staff reported Department of Natural Resources approval to use stone‑coated steel shingles that mimic cedar shakes. The board approved engaging USI under the county's on‑call agreement to prepare specifications and perform a load‑rating analysis on an hourly basis not to exceed $10,000 so the project can go to bid.
Regarding Bridge 17, engineers proposed supplemental design work under an hourly not‑to‑exceed arrangement of approximately $43,500; the engineer's preliminary cost estimate for the structure was around $700,000. Commissioners requested surveyor and watershed acreage clarifications for the segment upstream of the bridge before finalizing the design contract. Separately, the board approved a part‑time, on‑call inspection agreement (proposed at $198 per hour) to perform testing during the bridge deck pour, intended as quality assurance for the lightweight concrete mix.
Staff will proceed with the USI review for the covered bridge, secure surveyor watershed data for Bridge 17, and finalize inspection arrangements for the deck pour.
