County approves supplemental inspection services for Riley Road bridge; beams due early next year

County engineering staff described the need to augment inspection coverage on the Riley Road at Birch Creek bridge project, saying two county inspectors were insufficient for on‑site oversight. The augmentation is a supplemental construction‑engineering inspection contract to expand daily representation and manage submittals, RFIs and schedule tracking under the county’s existing contract with IEA.

"We needed more inspection coverage... to control the project so that it wouldn't be delayed," Ross told the court, explaining the supplemental request is conservative in its budget estimate and expected to come in under the requested amount. Ross said phase 1 — preparation for beam settings — is complete and the beams are expected to be delivered around the first of the year.

Ross provided a schedule update and said he expects the schedule completion to be mid‑March but suggested a late‑March buffer to ensure enough time. He added that temporary lane closures will be short and that two lanes will remain open during work; the county will communicate any brief road closures to affected residents.

Commissioners thanked staff for the update and approved the supplemental inspection request by motion and vote. The court recorded approval of item 69, enabling the county to move forward with augmented inspection services as the project continues.