Atlas Twp.- A trio of 70-year-old township bridges over the Kearsley Creek east of M-15, coupled with a significant lack of funding, has township officials seeking alternatives.
After the indefinite closure of the Green Road bridge over the Kearsley Creek, a Henderson Road bridge with beams in only fair condition and the Kipp Road bridge constructed about the same era, township officials consulted with Genesee County Road Commission regarding the repair of the spans.
Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones said the cost would exceed $400,000 for the Green Road bridge alone and it could be up to three years before construction begins.
‘It’s just too long to wait for a bridge to be reopened,? she said. ‘It could be years and the others (bridges) are in pretty rough shape. That’s just an estimate for replacement’we’ll go in the direction that is most cost effective.?
Township officials will meet with Genesee County Road Commission representatives on March 16 to discuss the options for bridge replacement.
Kautman-Jones said the township will consider funding and bidding the bridge replacement project to expedite the process. Township officials are concerned that due to the poor economic conditions, doing the project without the road commission funding may make more sense than waiting several years for the project to be funded. All three bridges are vital to travel in the south regions of the township and pose hardships if not repaired in a timely manner.
However, Fred F. Peivandi, P.E., director county highway engineer, said the process should go through the road commission.
‘The township will be getting very cost effective and competitive pricing,? said Peivandi. ? From an engineering review to the bidding process, which must be certified’building new bridges needs to go through the road commission first.?
Kautman-Jones requested $400,000 for the project from the economic stimulus package signed by President Obama last week. She also requested $200,000 for internet service for those areas of the township not being serviced by cable.