More closures possible but so is state funding
Federal inspectors are looking at more than 20 bridges in Marion County and have already ordered one to be closed.
The Board of Supervisors heard about the continuation of the inspections from County Engineer Jeff Dungan Monday. But Dungan also delivered some good news in that more state and federal funding, including $250 million allocated for bridge repairs statewide, could be on the way to help.
A bridge on Stovall Road near Kokomo was inspected last week and needed to be closed immediately. District 3 Supervisor Tony Morgan’s crews put signs up and placed large piles of dirt to block access. The board and Dungan began looking at options to replace or repair the two-span, precast bridge set on timber pilings.
Since December 2017, federal inspectors have been checking timber piling bridges across the state, forcing hundreds of closures. Marion County has 53 of those bridges ,and earlier this year several were closed. Recently, District 2 Supervisor Terry Broome was able to build a bypass for one of the major bridges on Williamsburg Road.
“We also got letters from the inspectors to post Albert Rayburn, East Reservoir and Cooper roads (which had been closed during the first round of inspections)” Dungan said. “We need to send them photographs before Dec. 28 showing that they are closed. Inspectors were concerned people were going around the barricades.”
Dungan said the county has 45 days to get the permanent closure signs up, but they must be closed within 48 hours. “Hopefully, there won’t be any additional closures, but it’s possible,” he said.
Dungan then delivered some good news: MDOT emergency bridge and road repair fund applications are out. MDOT has $250 million from the legislature for local projects.
Applications are due Dec. 14 with determinations about which projects get funded coming as early as February.
The county is looking at the pair of bridges on Williamsburg Road as a top priority. Both have been awaiting federal funding that has been delayed. Bridges on Shiloh Firetower Road, New Hope Kokomo Road and Lampton Hilltop Road are also among the top priorities.
Dungan said Columbia would likely make similar requests for bridges on Columbia Purvis Road, Pine Ridge Road, National Guard Road and Dewey Street.
Pictured Above: Marion County crews dumped dirt in several locations and posted signs earlier this week to close the bridge on Stovall Road near Kokomo. Federal inspectors have returned to look at nearly two dozen bridges to determine if they need to be closed. | Photo by Mark Rogers
