Bridge 82 On Judah Logan Road Now Open

Last updated on Wednesday, January 27, 2016

(BEDFORD) - Lawrence County Highway Superintendent David Holmes says Bridge 82, on Judah Logan Road over Salt Creek, is now open.

Holmes says the approach to the bridge is a little rough, but that will be fixed this spring when the weather breaks.

"I received several calls from people upset the bridge was taking so long to complete," Holmes says. "But in reality it took us a shorter time period than normal to build the bridge. Normally it takes around 150 days and crews completed this bridge in around 100 days."

Holmes reported the last snowfall created some "havoc" on county roads.

"We had some ice on the roadways," Holmes added. "But crews got things taken care of. We are now replenishing sand piles. We also had a large amount of trees down with this storm."

Crews are cold patching pot holes.

"It is not bad for all of the freezing and thawing we've had," he added.

Sheriff Mike Branham reported there were 96 inmates at the county jail Tuesday morning, of those 18 were females and 3 were Department of Correction holds.

Sheriff Branham presented the commissioners a contract with Spillman Technologies, Inc. to provide the Sheriff's Department with integrated computer aided dispatch system (CAD) software.

Branham says the cost of the new system is $381,998. 911 funds will pay $267,768 with the sheriff's department using funds from unappropriated misdemeanor and public safety funds to pay the remaining $114,230.

The commissioners tabled the request until County Attorney Dave Smith could review the contract.

Valerie Luchauer of Emergency Management reported the county "dodged a bullet" with the snow storm.

Luchauer has been working with the county's volunteer fire departments to secure their mutual aid agreements.

Luchauer also updated the commissioners on the last courthouse security meeting saying that officials are updating security plans.

The commissioners recognized the county has only one covered bridge - in Williams.

Lawrence County Community Corrections Director Chad Shew requested permission to seek Senate 1006 money through a grant from the Department of Corrections.

The commissioners approved filing for the funds

County resident and pole worker Don Robertson asked to address the commission about poll workers and polling places.

"I am here asking for money," he added. "We have a hard time getting poll workers because they don't get paid enough. We are the lowest paying county in the state."

He also addressed issues with several polling places in the county saying many are not handicapped accessible.

"We are going to be in trouble, people are wanting to file complaints," Robertson added.

Commissioner President Bill Spreen told Robertson that is why the county is looking at developing a polling center.

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