By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
While the more than 200 bridges in Ellis County continue to age, they are in pretty good shape in comparison with neighboring entities.
That was the message Monday to the county commission as members were presented the results of November’s bridge inspection by Penco Engineering.
The county conducts bridge inspections every two years, and Jordan Dettmer of the Plainville firm led the effort this past fall.
Dettmer told the commission that under the new federal guidelines there are only seven bridges considered “structurally deficient.” That accounts to just 7% of bridges in the county.
The government defines structurally deficient bridges are ones the receive a rating of four or less. The condition of the deck, superstructure, substructure and culvert all determine the rating according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
A bridge’s age and the way it was built is also considered.
Bridges that are considered “structurally deficient” needs repairs but are not unsafe.
According to ARTBA’s 2019 Kansas Bridge Profile 1,288 of the 24,906 bridges in Kansas are classified as structurally deficient.
Public Works Director Bill Ring said report shows they need to continue upkeep on the bridges throughout the county.
“There was nothing major that came out,” said Ring. “I wasn’t like we need to worry about closing a bridge tomorrow.”
“But it does point out that continued maintenance is extremely important,” Ring said.
Dettmer said there are two bridge decks that are “pretty bad” and that they Palco Blacktop Bridge deck was considered the worst deck in the county. Ring said the deck may need to be completely replaced.
The older structures with masonry abutments or arches suffered damage over the last couple of years because of the moisture the area have received.
He said those structures make up most of the seven that are considered in poor condition.
Dettmer also added that changes by the federal government will require a lot of the bridges in the county that don’t have a posted weight limit will, in the future require the county to post a weight limit.
He said that they some of the heavier emergency vehicles, like fire trucks and special haul vehicles may require posting.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation post loading restrictions are placed on bridges that can no longer carry the legal load. KDOT said approximately a quarter of the bridges in Kansas are load posted.
In other business, the commission
• Approved a proclamation declaring April as National County Government Month. The proclamation is an effort to spread awareness of the services provided by local county governments. This year’s theme is “Connecting the Unconnected.”
• Approved Mason Ruder as the Interim Administrator of the Environmental Office for one month. Ruder replaces Environmental Sanitarian Karen Purvis who retired on Friday while they look for a permanent replacement.
• Accepted $1,000 for a one-acre track of land owned by the county.
• Met in an executive session to discuss potential litigation. No action was taken.