Reduction in Poor-Rated Bridges Ensuring the safety of county bridges is one of Public Works’ top priorities, which is reflected by the completion of 13bridge projects and inspection of 248bridges in 2023. The department completed work on four poor-rated county bridges last year, reducing the number of poor- rated county bridges that are 8 feet or longer by 71.6 percent since 2013. Of the remaining 19 poor-rated county bridges, most are culverts, and only two have a length of more than 100 feet. Public Works also replaced two bridges that had weight limits. Now only seven county bridges have weight limits – one of which is closed. Bridges rated as being in poor condition or posted with a weight limit are not necessarily unsafe. Condition ratings are a broad tool used to help plan bridge improvements, repairs, and replacements. The safety of the traveling public is Public Works’ top priority, and the department’s Bridge Division always errs on the side of caution. If its engineers believe there is any chance a county bridge might be unsafe, they take immediate action.
New Maintenance Vehicles and Equipment Public Works obtained six new tractors with rotary mowers called brush hogs, and six new trucks with snow equipment in 2023. They are critically important to the department’s road maintenance operations. The need to control vegetation along county roadways is significant because overgrown weeds, brush, and branches cover up signs and create visibility issues for drivers, especially around curves. Public Works’ previous vegetation control efforts included the use of three old, inherited tractors with brush hogs not suited for cutting along roadways. The department is now using seven tractors with brush hogs, and the new models are smaller, smoother, easier to operate, and much better at cutting back roadside vegetation. The new trucks with snow equipment also filled a significant need, as the trucks they replaced were old and prone to breaking down during winter storm events. The new vehicles are greatly enhancing the county’s snow and ice removal operations.
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