Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board member warns of failing Wolfenberger bridge as city seeks who must pay for repairs
Summary
A board member told the Sullivan Board of Public Works the Wolfenberger box-culvert bridge near Silventale (also referred to as Silendell in the meeting) has a growing sinkhole and 'will need attention soon.' City staff will seek written confirmation from AIM about whether municipalities now bear responsibility for repairs.
A board member told the Board of Public Works during its April 2026 regular session that a resident has raised urgent safety concerns about the Wolfenberger box-culvert bridge near Silventale, saying a sinkhole under the structure is widening and the bridge "will need attention soon." The board said it is investigating who is legally responsible for repairs after a county official told the street superintendent the responsibility may have shifted to municipalities.
The board member said the city has been monitoring the bridge and placed an orange barrel near the opening; the speaker also said the city previously purchased guard-rail material while county crews performed the installation after a vehicle struck the concrete wall. The board said it would notify the local school and could close the bridge if inspectors determine it is unsafe.
Board members said they had asked the county engineer about whether legislation had changed which entity pays for certain bridges, and were told by the county engineer that responsibility may now rest with municipalities. The speaker said City staff asked AIM to verify the claim in writing before the city could determine who should fund repairs.
A resident separately asked about a sinkhole behind a downtown building in the alley between Mallister and Joink; the board said Tony, the city utilities director, is tracking that site and that the sinkhole there is the responsibility of the parties identified (Mallister and Joink) rather than the city. The resident reported photos of the sinkhole were available.
Why it matters: If responsibility for some bridges has shifted to municipalities, local budgets could be required to pay for repairs previously covered by county bridge funds. The board emphasized that written confirmation from AIM is needed before the city can make a funding decision or schedule repairs.
The board said it will follow up with AIM for documentation, continue monitoring the Wolfenberger bridge and notify the school district and other stakeholders if the bridge must be closed.
