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Kingfield neighborhood asks county to loan temporary bridge after private span shows severe beam failure
Summary
Residents of the Ira Mountain community asked Franklin County to lease a county temporary bridge while they pursue a permanent replacement for a privately owned span that engineers say has compromised beams and reduced allowable tonnage, threatening emergency access for roughly 66 homes.
Representatives of the Ira Mountain community in Kingfield told the Franklin County Commission on June 16 that two main beams on a privately owned 100‑foot residential bridge have been severely compromised and that the structure—apacity recently was downgraded from about 32 tons to roughly 5 tons.
The neighborhood group said the bridge supports access to about 66 developed properties and some 115 lots in the area; the immediate result is restricted access for heavy emergency and service vehicles and serious winter‑season logistics concerns for plowing, fuel deliveries and contractor access. Local volunteers had engaged Calderwood Engineering, which reported major structural concerns in a May inspection.
Community representatives asked to borrow or lease one of the county—leet's temporary bridges — two of which are in county inventory after recent bridge replacements — for an initial 12–18 months while a permanent fix is engineered and permitted. County engineers and commissioners noted the temporary spans must be evaluated for fit (span length, ramp angle and approach space) and that moving and installing a temporary bridge would require coordination with the county—ngineer, the installing contractor (Dargo/Dergo Engineering was referenced) and risk‑management documents.
After discussion the commission approved the concept and asked staff and legal counsel to draft a hands‑off lease/hold‑harmless contract (the homeowners' association would take responsibility for transport, installation and maintenance) and to return the draft for board approval at a follow‑up meeting. Commissioners emphasized the need for a clear contract specifying liability, restoration and return conditions.
Next steps: community and county staff will identify the preferred temporary span, request Dargo/Dergo and Calderwood to assess fit and installation logistics, and present a draft lease/hold‑harmless agreement for the board's review at the July meeting.
