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DDC seeks staffing to address bridge-inspection backlog and lists major FY27 CIP bids
Summary
Deputy Director Mark Yonamin told the budget committee DDC needs additional engineers and inspectors to catch up on bridge inspections across approximately 400 bridges and highlighted key FY27 capital projects including Civic Center parking waterproofing, Salt Lake Boulevard widening and the Blazedell re-roof.
The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) presented its FY27 operating and capital priorities to the Budget Committee on March 12, highlighting a staffing gap that constrains the agency’s ability to keep pace with federally mandated bridge inspections and a substantial CIP list slated for the coming fiscal year.
Why it matters: DDC said there are about 400 bridges in its inventory; roughly 200 fall under a federal requirement for inspection every two years. Deputy Director Mark Yonamin said current staffing only allows DDC to work on a small number of bridges annually and requested additional civil engineers and senior construction inspectors to accelerate inspections and remedial work.
DDC presented a modest operating increase for FY27, sought four additional full-time positions (bringing headcount from 201 to 205), and said salaries and overtime funding are needed to support bridge inspection, construction management and mechanical/electrical work. Yonamin told the committee DDC currently has about 40 vacancies and is requesting targeted hires to reduce inspection backlog.
On capital projects, DDC highlighted FY27 bid and design timelines for several large items: Civic Center parking structure waterproofing and early education center rebuild (~$11.66M), the Pearl City Fire Station relocation (acquisition and permitting progress ongoing), Salt Lake Boulevard widening last-phase (~$40M) to go out to bid this year, and planned bidding for a Blazedell re-roof (~$10.75M) by mid-December. Yonamin also noted a federal bridge-inspection grant (roughly $2M) to help cover inspection workload and a city match.
Council members asked about coordination with client agencies, permitting sequencing and DDC’s capacity to bundle demolition and construction work to reduce repeated disruption; DDC said the office would increase direct engagement with council members to improve project planning and pledged continued coordination with the mayor’s grants team to pursue federal funding opportunities.
What’s next: DDC will continue to refine CIP schedules and meet with council members and client agencies to improve sequencing, and will provide follow-up details on anticipated bid schedules and vacancy-fill plans.
Sources: Presentation and Q&A with Deputy Director Mark Yonamin, Department of Design and Construction (March 12 Budget Committee meeting).
