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Mayor says FEMA bridge repair remains stalled; city disputes need for 16-inch slab
Summary
Council said FEMA has required a 16-inch-thick concrete bridge reconstruction, which local officials argue overstates needs; the closed bridge has disrupted school routes since Feb. 25 and staff are pressing FEMA for faster action.
Council members reported continued delays on a bridge project that officials say has been out of service since Feb. 25 and is disrupting school transportation.
The mayor said he inspected the site and disputes FEMA's specification that the replacement bridge must have a 16-inch-thick concrete section, saying older overlays artificially increased measured thickness. "Originally, they wanted the bridge 16 inches thick, and I'm aware but I just went over and looked at it... there's not much bridal there once you get it all dug off," the mayor said, urging FEMA to expedite work because school will resume soon.
Council described the closure as an ongoing inconvenience for parents and school transport. The mayor said the "ball is in our court" but that the city is again waiting on FEMA decisions. No new timetable or funding commitments were recorded in the transcript.
