Posted: 4/10/07
Houston County engineer encourages more bridge repairs
By Roxie Lassig
Special to The Argus
Huston County Engineer Marcus Evans wants to see more of the countyís bridges rebuilt. Approximately 33% of the bridges (58 bridges) within the county are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, according to Evans. This includes approximately 43% of township bridges (42 bridges) and 21% of the county bridges (16 bridges).
At Tuesdayís county board meeting, Evans told commissioners that he wants to have more of the bridges redesigned so the plans are "sitting on the shelf ready to go."
That way, when state funding becomes available, the plans are ready. His goal is to have at least four plans completed and waiting for funding each year, in addition to (at least) one bridge reconstruction completed each year.
"State funding for bridge construction is a case of first come, first serve," says Evans. "We need to get more of plans finalized for these bridges so we can submit the plans immediately when the funding becomes available. Thatís the name of the game when it comes to getting projects funded."
"If we donít get more of our bridges rebuilt in the county, the quality will keep sliding."
He proposes to have the up front design costs split between the county and townships. Those design costs would then be applied toward the actual construction costs.
"Overall the funding would be the same from both the county and the townships, but weíre looking to get more of the money up front so we can be better prepared to take advantage of state funding," said Evans.
He plans to present his proposal at the annual townships meeting on April 10 in Caledonia.
Annual road tour
The Houston County Board of Commissioners will do their annual tour of the county road system with the highway engineer on Monday, April 16, beginning at 9 a.m.
County may sell airport hangar
Commissioners will investigate an opportunity to sell the Murphy hangar at the county airport. The owner of Benson Technologies, of Savage, is reportedly interested in signing an "lease-to-own" agreement with the county that would take effect in May 2008.
The fair market value for the hangar is estimated at $20,000. Commissioner Tom Bjerke, who sits on the airport board, said selling the hangar may be a favorable option for the board, rather than investing the estimated $50,000 needed to insulate, heat and put a new floor in it. Also, Benson Technologies reportedly purchased $18,000 in fuel last year, and the county is interested in attracting regular customers to purchase fuel at the airport. Commissioners will conduct a background check on the owner of Benson Technologies and will research the legalities of selling the hangar.
CJC is in design phase
At the second regular weekly status report meeting, the CJC project managers from Johnson Controls and county commissioners were still hammering out the details of the contract. JCI representative Mark Beyer also reported the design team is proceeding on the preliminary design of the new building. County board members have given specific direction as to the location of offices, use of space and the desire to decrease the "footprint" (overall size of the building). The two parties will next decide how the project will be funded and the targeted project cost. JCI will continue to give weekly progress reports at the county board meetings each Tuesday.
Caledonia Argus
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