Commissioners ask staff to prioritize bridges and culverts for LRA funding; road-paving options discussed

County staff reviewed Local Road Assistance (LRA) balances and outstanding road and bridge projects, and commissioners focused the next round of LRA funding toward bridges and culverts that pose safety and emergency-access concerns.

County Clerk Allyson Stephens summarized available LRA funds: roughly $300,000 remained from 2024; the County is awaiting RFP work for 2025, and 2026 LRA funding is estimated at about $1,018,607.13. Public Works Director Brian Griffith and staff identified high-priority items carried from the 2024 list: Pigeon Creek Road (estimated at ~$470,000), J.W. Dunn (box culvert estimated at ~$80,000), and Dallas Mill Road (~$470,000). Commissioners agreed culverts and bridges present safety risks for emergency responders and directed staff to prepare a prioritized scope so the County Clerk can submit the LRA application on schedule.

Commissioner Adam Worsley noted that alternative surfacing techniques such as chip seal (EMC estimate ~$50,000 per mile) could be a cost-effective option on low-volume roads and asked staff to include chip-seal options and traffic counters where useful for decision-making. Director Griffith said an in-house estimate to pave 5.5 miles of Alvaton Road would be about $1.3 million; the Board emphasized it would prefer complete projects rather than partial paving segments. The bid opening for a separately advertised paving project was scheduled for May 21 with contract award and next steps expected at the May 26 regular meeting.

Next steps: Public Works will prepare a prioritized list of bridges, culverts and paving options with estimates; staff will compile those items into a scope for the LRA application and return recommendations by the May 26 meeting.