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Commissioners declare bridge emergency after Basil‑Western Road washout, approve resurfacing contract
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Summary
After a storm-induced sinkhole and bridge washout on Basil‑Western Road, County Engineer Jeremiah Upp told commissioners his office issued an emergency closure and the board approved an emergency declaration and related resurfacing contract awards on the consent agenda. The actions were recorded unanimous.
Fairfield County commissioners moved on March 17 to declare a bridge project a continuing emergency after a culvert failure and washout on Basil‑Western Road, and they approved related resurfacing contract awards on the consent agenda.
Engineer Jeremiah Upp told the Board the culvert developed a sink hole that led to a bridge washout between Amanda Northern Road and Pickerington Road and that his office issued an emergency closure. The Board approved a resolution declaring the VIO‑21 Bridge Replacement Project a continuing real and present emergency (2026-03.17.b). The commissioners recorded aye votes from Jeff Fix, David Levacy and Steve Davis.
On the consent agenda the Board also approved contract actions including the FAI‑CR7‑3.390 Refugee Road resurfacing award to the low, responsive bidder (2026-03.17.c). The Engineer’s office described the Basil‑Western closure as an emergency repair situation; legal staff had placed an emergency resolution on the agenda to allow staff to proceed with necessary work.
Why it matters: the closure affects local traffic and requires expedited procurement and construction steps. County staff said emergency and force-account authorities may be used to start work before standard procurement completes, subject to later formal approvals.
The meeting minutes record that legal counsel made the emergency item and the Board approved it by roll call vote. No detailed project schedule or cost estimate was recorded in the meeting minutes.