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Bridge 31 repairs delayed after driver plows through barricades; county to add heavy barriers
Summary
Engineers reported a delayed replacement pour at Bridge 31 after inconsistent concrete was found and a driver drove through multiple barricades, chipping concrete; the county plans to use larger physical barriers during pours and consider closures to protect contractors and reduce future costs.
County engineer Nate told commissioners that partial deck patching and joint repairs at Bridge 31 were delayed after crews discovered inconsistently poured concrete while removing the west joint and because recent rains prevented an earlier pour. The engineer said crews now hope to complete the replacement and reopen the bridge by the middle of next week rather than this Friday.
Nate also reported a separate safety incident: a driver struck two offset barricades, drove through three additional barricades, and dragged a sandbag about 100 yards before hitting the joint and chipping concrete. He said contractors reconstructed the sequence with county staff and that the county plans to install more robust physical protections during pours. “When the concrete gets poured, we're going to be putting extra equipment out to make it physically impossible,” Nate said, adding the county may use full trailers to better block access.
The engineer noted such breaches increase contractor risk and can drive up bids because contractors must replace barricades, provide security and repair damaged materials. He said the county prefers full closures in some cases to discourage vehicle entry and protect workers.
Commissioners said the sheriff’s office would be informed for enforcement; the county will weigh cost-benefit of additional security measures and proceed with the adjusted pour schedule.
