With six bridges closed so far and inspections continuing across Marion County, the level of concern from officials is growing.
The Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Berkley Hall on Monday discussed costs for signage, which can run up to $2,500 to meet state requirements, and the possibility of additional shutdowns on more heavily traveled roads.
Hall said they are probably looking at three to six more bridges closed in the current round of federal inspections, with more to follow in 2018.
“I also heard that they are looking at the one on Columbia-Purvis Road,” the sheriff said. “If they close that it will be a difficult detour.”
One detour option, Robert Baggett Road, may also face a bridge closure, according to the Board.
“There might not be any choice to go to East Columbia other than go down Mississippi 13 or cut down Beets Road to Friendship, back onto Columbia-Purvis,” Hall said.
Throughout the state, federal inspectors have been targeting wooden-pile bridges, which are prone to rotting underneath even if the driving surface looks fine. The issue of funding to pay for repairs is expected to again be a major issue during the legislative session that begins Jan. 2.
Besides closures (listed at right), other actions taken by federal inspectors include reducing the weight limit on Mt. Gilead Road in District 1 and closing lanes on two bridges in District 2: North River Road near Goss and Ebenezer Road, which is just west of Highway 35.
Concerns of the costs of the signs to post closures are weighing heavily on the minds of the sheriff and the Board. Hall and the Board said some funds from 911 will be used.
“We found out with the three we’ve got out that it actually depends on the detours,” Broome said. “I’m not going to close a bridge until I have my detour signs up. On North Williamsburg it took eight detour signs. On Albert Rayburn, it didn’t take but one. It just depends on where the bridge is. You can figure at least three per end for permanent closure, so at least six per bridge. I got my detour signs last week, but for a permanent close, it’s $2,500 for the signage – that’s $2,500 for each bridge. The barricades and closure signs have to be to MDOT specifications. We have only 45 days to close them permanently.”
Broome said the detour signs are the least expensive signs and said he and 911 Administrator Audrey Holmes had discussed those being paid out of 911 monies.
Broome suggested the county make the signs for the detours and any it could make using a sign machine purchased last year. Hall said jail trustees could work with a trained county employee to make the signs and that it would save the county money.
Board members said federal inspectors would continue checking bridges through January and would inspect approximately 25 of the 53 wood pile bridges in the county during this round of inspections.
Pictured Above: The bridge on Spell Road, which is south of Columbia off Columbia-Purvis Road, is one of six recently closed in Marion County. Federal inspectors are continuing to look at each of the county’s 53 wood-pile bridges. | Photo by Charlie Smith
