BEDFORD – Lawrence County Highway Superintendent Brandi Webb updated the commissioners on bridge construction on Tuesday morning.
The commissioners had approved a contract amendment for Bridge 172 on Cement Plant Road over Leatherwood Creek.
“We are going to proceed to obtain three right-of-way easements,” Webb added.
Work continues to repair Bridge 150 on Mill Creek Road. The Federal Highway Administration and the National Register of Historic Places determined that the bridge needed demolition and that rebuilding it was the best option. A historical sign will be erected at the site of the original bridge.
Crews will pour the deck next week. The bridge will not open for at least another month.
The total cost will be $305,023.30.
The Lawrence County Commissioners approved a contract with CLR for $2.6 million to replace Bridge 150. The county will pay $319,536.10.
Bridge 107 on Armstrong Station Road is a historic landmark; the state Historical Review Board must approve all work. They have recommended replacing the bridge and relocating the original bridge to the west of its current location.
“The bridge will be used only for foot and bicycle traffic once moved,” said Webb.
The total cost is estimated at around $2.4 million.
Webb plans to request federal aid to pay for the project.
“This has been in process since I first became a commissioner,” said Rodney Fish. “It is a complicated process, costly being a historical bridge.”
The county is also preparing for its annual bridge inspections.
“All the bridge washing has been completed,” Webb said. “We are working on paving, replacing culverts, and vegetation control.”
Webb is also working with INDOT to update the state’s inventory map.
“I found there are 22 miles of roads for which we are not receiving credit,” said Webb. “Once those are added, we will see the benefits for that in the near future.”
