Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission split on $25,000 repair for Gassen (Big Sandy) bridge; motion fails 3–2
Summary
Public works recommended a targeted bent repair for the closed Gassen bridge at an estimated $25,000 plus engineering; commissioners debated costs versus future WYDOT replacement and voted the repair down, 3–2.
Public works director Gene Ligurski presented options to address a severely deteriorated bent on the Gassen (Big Sandy) bridge, which has been load‑restricted and closed. Ligurski recommended a targeted repair that could be performed by county crews or a contractor, estimating roughly $25,000 for a limited repair (plus about $19,000 in required engineering), with higher estimates (up to about $71,000) for more extensive work.
Commissioners debated whether to spend limited county dollars on a short‑term fix when WYDOT has the bridge on its STIP replacement schedule for 2028. Commissioner Robert D. Slaughter and Commissioner Mary E. Toman supported the county repair to avoid a 50‑mile detour and local hardship; Commissioners Eileen Richards and Taylor C. Jones opposed spending the money given low average daily traffic (ADT ≈ 2.79 vehicles/day) and uncertain long‑term value. On roll call the motion to approve the recommended repair failed, with Richards, West and Jones voting against and Slaughter and Toman voting in favor (motion failed 3–2).
