Commissioners pressed Road Department on condemned bridge at 70 Rd, operator training and equipment needs

Commissioner Jim Gwennap and Assistant Road Supervisor Travis Story spent a substantial portion of the Dec. 23 special session on road maintenance problems that affect travel and maintenance efficiency.

Story said the east half of 70 Rd between DD Rd and EE Rd is closed and that the bridge at that location has been condemned. He reported that a newer blade operator did not realize the road was closed and has been widening roads so narrow that they only allow a single vehicle, and that the operator will now work with other crew members. Story also told commissioners work is ongoing on the 300 Rd project and that the department had to rent a vibrating roller when their roller failed. He said the new mulcher will be ready this week and will be picked up in Concordia, and that wiring for the generator has been run and should be tested.

Gwennap said the 70 Rd situation could be used as a training opportunity for equipment operators. No formal motions tied specifically to bridge repair or project funding were recorded in the minutes; the transcript records direction to supervise and pair the blade operator with others and to test the generator wiring as follow-up.