Commission approves bridge design contracts and fleet vehicle replacements

The Public Works committee recommended several infrastructure contracts for favorable referral: a design contract with Abe's Engineering, Inc. for the Galloway Levy Road bridge replacement not to exceed $774,933.50, and a design contract with Fisher & Arnold, Inc. for Sledge Road bridge replacement not to exceed $561,351.80. County engineer Darren Sanders told commissioners the Galloway Levy bridge was constructed in the 1950s, that design would take roughly 6–9 months and construction about 18 months, and that TDOT is expected to participate in a 98.2% cost share for construction.

The committee also approved a vehicle procurement package to replace 11 county vehicles (including two electric vehicles), for a purchase not to exceed $480,463, and ratified multiple other public-works and park contracts including $807,284 for construction engineering inspection services tied to the Big Creek Park Phase 1C HUD-funded project. Commissioners asked about local vendor participation and green-fleet goals; staff said two of the eleven replacements are all-electric and that purchasing met the solicitation requirements.