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Commission weighs $3.3M deck‑replacement option versus larger bridge rehab
Summary
Commissioners heard competing options to fix the closed bridge: a contractor proposed a $3.3 million option that replaces the top deck and keeps the substructure (shorter permitting), while a more extensive rehab is estimated at roughly $4.4–4.6 million; staff will return with design, permitting and clearance data.
Commissioners spent significant time evaluating options to repair a bridge with a lane closed for safety concerns. Jose Santiago of eXp told the commission the contractor's $3.3 million proposal would replace the top deck and leave the existing substructure in place, which the contractor said avoids additional Durham permitting for substructure changes.
"The $3,300,000 includes the substructure ... it's not gonna change," Jose Santiago said, explaining the option's permitting advantages and lower cost compared with full rehabilitation. Commissioners and staff noted a full replacement or different rehabilitation approach could increase costs (staff cited roughly $4.4M for a more extensive rehab) and might require longer permitting; they requested follow‑up cost/time analyses, clearances for recreational waterway passage and an option comparison at the next workshop or meeting.
Why it matters: the council must balance restoring service as quickly as possible against longer‑term life expectancy and recreational access beneath the bridge. Staff will bring revised designs, permitting timelines and a comparison of lifecycle costs for further consideration.
