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Local News

February 21, 2010

JeffCo makes changes in bridge project program

Jeff Kaley

WAURIKA — After discovering a scouring problem with some structures, the Jefferson County Commissioners have made some changes in their bridge project program for 2010, which will result in three bridges being rebuilt and two others being constructed.

During an emergency meeting at Jefferson County Courthouse, the commissioners met with county Engineer Clark Mitchell and Kenny Wall, from Circuit Engineering District 6. Mitchell and Wall had conducted a bi-annual inspection of all bridges in the county, as which time scouring problems were detected on structures in District 2 and District 3.

Scouring is the erosion or removal of streambeds or bank material from around a bridge’s foundation, which is caused by flowing water.

Mitchell and Wall recommended those bridges be moved up on the five-year plan and have their problems addressed this year instead of later in the overall plan.

In two separate actions, the commissioners first agreed to establish engineering contracts with Cobb Engineering of Lawton. Then they approved a programming resolution indicating the projects will be funded with 100 Percent County Bridge and Road Improvement (CBRI) funds, with engineering fees also coming out of the CBRI funds.

Two of the existing bridges to be replaced are in District 2. One is over Negro Creek, 6.8 miles west and 3 miles north of the junction of State Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 70, while the other is over Crooked Creek, 2.8 miles north of U.S. 70.

A 45-foot by 26-foot steel girder bridge will be constructed on Negro Creek, while the Crooked Creek project involves installation of a 55X26 steel girder bridge.

Three projects for 2010 are slated for District 3, including replacement of a bridge over a tributary of the Red River, which is located 2 miles west of the junction of State Highway 32 and U.S. Highway 81. The plan is to construct a single span, 45X26 steel girder bridge.

In addition, new bridges will be built on tributaries of Beaver Creek in District 2, one located 2.9 miles south of the State Highway 5 and U.S. 70 junction, the other located 4.3 miles south of the same junction.

“These are all part of the five-year bridge plan, but we revised it when we had some (scouring) problems,” Mitchell said. “The next thing is to go out for bids and specialty equipment. The county will have to provide some labor and some of the equipment to tear out the old bridges.”

Asked if the projects would be completed by the end of 2010, Mitchell said, “It depends on how quickly we can turn people loose [to begin construction]. The (overall) projects could last all year.”

Total cost for the five bridge projects is estimated at $480,000. Mitchell said 80 percent of the cost will be paid from funds from the U.S. Highway Administration’s Bridge Fund and 20 percent will be paid by the county through a 25C Account with the State of Oklahoma.

The commissioners conducted the bridge action in an emergency meeting that was prompted when a change on the original agenda for a regular meeting wasn’t posted in time to meet stipulations of the Open Meetings Act. As an alternative, the regular meeting was canceled, with some items from that agenda being moved to the emergency meeting.

Other items on the regular meeting agenda were moved to a special meeting slated to be held Wednesday.

The commissioners did unanimously approve claims and authorization of blanket purchases orders, and they approved employee payroll for the first half of February.

Also approved was a request from District 2 Commissioner Ty Phillips to remove an Alamo Hydro No. 10 mower from the district’s inventory and take it to an auction to be held in March in Elk City.

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