District Two Fremont County Commissioner Larry Lasha says he hopes repairs can begin next week on the flood ravaged bridge on Fremont County Road 123 a mile east of County Road 67. The July 5th flood saw water in Eight Mile Creek rise an estimated five feet over the top of the bridge. It left piles of timber and debris scattered around the bridge. Besides washing away earth from around the bridge supports itself, the flooding also undermined the road base below the asphalt.
Lasha says that's why County Road 123 remains closed and why no one should attempt to cross the bridge. Lasha said there have been reports of the road blocks being moved and tire tracks found across the bridge. While District Two Road Foreman Terry Acton says the bridge itself appears not to have sustained serious damage, the County Commissioners have decided an engineer's assessment should be completed before repairs start. The Commissioners have arranged for S.E.H. Engineering to inspect the bridge this Friday (July 14). The engineer's report should be ready by early next week so repairs could begin immediately.
Lasha adds that road crews and equipment from all three road districts have been concentrating their efforts to restore basic access to properties off of County Road 132. Depending on county finances and disaster reimbursements it is still expected to take a number of months before roads damaged by the flooding are repaired to their original condition.
The County Commissioners have also heard from a number of people whose private subdivision roads were damaged by flood waters. The Commissioners note that county personnel and equipment can only be used to maintain county roads. Repairs to private roads, culverts, and bridges are the responsibility of the private property owners.
Lasha says that's why County Road 123 remains closed and why no one should attempt to cross the bridge. Lasha said there have been reports of the road blocks being moved and tire tracks found across the bridge. While District Two Road Foreman Terry Acton says the bridge itself appears not to have sustained serious damage, the County Commissioners have decided an engineer's assessment should be completed before repairs start. The Commissioners have arranged for S.E.H. Engineering to inspect the bridge this Friday (July 14). The engineer's report should be ready by early next week so repairs could begin immediately.
Lasha adds that road crews and equipment from all three road districts have been concentrating their efforts to restore basic access to properties off of County Road 132. Depending on county finances and disaster reimbursements it is still expected to take a number of months before roads damaged by the flooding are repaired to their original condition.
The County Commissioners have also heard from a number of people whose private subdivision roads were damaged by flood waters. The Commissioners note that county personnel and equipment can only be used to maintain county roads. Repairs to private roads, culverts, and bridges are the responsibility of the private property owners.