Bridges in Washington County are being affected by troubled water caused by excessive rain and saturated land.
The conditions have delayed bridge inspections, Mark Hooker, county engineer, told the Board of Supervisors during the May 6 meeting.
“We are continuing to inspect as water recedes,” Hooker said. “We have come across a few problems and will be evaluating as we proceed.”
Water under several bridges was high enough to prevent inspections from being completed.
“The water is so high we can’t get under them,” Hooker said. “We have done above the bridges, but not the under side. The water may not get down low enough any time soon. We have been slowed down in completing the inspections because of the water.”
Hooker said bridge inspections are typically performed during the winter.
“We do that because it helps avoid snakes and alligators,” Hooker said, “But the water was too high this winter and we couldnt do it and we are still waiting because the water is still too high.”
The lift platform used to inspect the underside of bridges is not able to be used as a result of the water levels.
“So we make attempts to inspect from a boat,” Hooker said. “It takes three to four times longer than the normal inspection because the water is moving swiftly and you can’t keep the boat still long enough to do what needs to be done.”
Hooker said he hopes bridge inspections will be complete in the coming months.
“If it takes another month for the water to recede, then that is another month we have to wait,” he said.
Bridge Briefs
• Greer Road Bridge
The board approved the ratification for Greer Road Bridge closing over Deer Creek as required by Santec inspection, which satisfies State Aid and the Federal Highway Department.
• Frazier Road Bridge.
The preliminary design is complete. When test reports from the Mississippi Department of Transportation are available plans, specifications and estimates will be submitted to State Aid.
• North Broadway Bridge Replacement
Traffic is moving smoothly and field work has been completed. The project has minor repairs, erosion control items and final estimates remaining.
