County engineer outlines spring road RFPs, bridge lettings and Secondary Roads headquarters progress

County Engineer Brad Kettles told the Linn County Board of Supervisors that his department chose an LC3 improvement metric focused on "holding each other accountable," and that the county is preparing a busy spring season for road maintenance contracts.

"We chose to improve the metric of holding each other accountable," Kettles said, describing the countywide Gap‑M process. He said about 34% of the department's budget is expended and roughly 50–56% of the remaining balance is already obligated for payroll, contracts and purchase orders. Kettles also said maintenance RFPs for rock overlays, dust control and seal‑coat materials are due March 13 to give contractors the most time to complete work within the calendar year.

Kettles gave a status update on the Secondary Roads headquarters project: "Larson is at 76%, Emergent architect at 94% and Rachi (the water project contractor) is at 82%," and said he would follow up on the remaining waterline work. He listed several bridge projects now under construction or soon to let, including Matzel Park Bridge and Rosedale Road, and said Hills Mills over Buffalo Creek and Covington Road over Lone Tree Creek are scheduled to let Feb. 17.

Board members pressed Kettles on neighborhood impacts for projects that could limit access; he described a recent zoning/trc conversation about a solar developer seeking rezoning off Castle Lane and said staff denied a requested road vacation unless access provisions for the other parcels are provided. Kettles also previewed an embargo resolution that staff will bring to the board next Monday to allow seasonal weight restrictions (with local‑delivery and agricultural exceptions and a permit process for construction deliveries).