Montgomery County will seek bids to rehabilitate two bridges this summer and the price tag is lower than expected.
The Board of Commissioners gave authorization on Monday to start the bidding process for the projects at Jim Davis Bridge on C.R. 600W and the bridge on C.R. 550N west of Darlington.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and the projects have to be completed by the end of September, county engineer Jim Peck said.
The work will require the closure of C.R. 600W between C.R. 475S and C.R. 550W and C.R. 550N for about a month during construction.
The estimated cost for both projects is about $950,000, down from the $2.3 million originally listed.
Also on Monday, the commissioners passed the final reading of an ordinance establishing the Montgomery County Engineering Department. Peck will serve as director and report to county administrator Tom Klein.
The commissioners said moving the engineer’s office, which has been operating under the highway department, into a separate department would make it easier to track engineering costs and help Peck in his day-to-day role.
“We’ve asked Jim to do everything and he’s jumped in with 110% effort,” commission president John Frey said.
In other business, the highway department’s annual oil application program for gravel roads was approved. Participating residents will pay for half the cost of the oil.
The cost is $255 for oil on 300 feet of road and $425 for 600 feet of road.
Residents will pay the entire cost for oil on greater than 600 feet of road at $1.15 per foot.
