Other locations are in line for money down the road
Federal funds have been approved for two bridge replacement
projects in San Benito County, at Union and Hospital roads, a
public works official announced this week.
Those dollars are approved under the Highway Bridge Replacement
and Rehabilitation program, with the federal government paying 88.5
percent and the county picking up the remaining 11.5 percent of the
costs.
Other locations are in line for money down the road
Federal funds have been approved for two bridge replacement projects in San Benito County, at Union and Hospital roads, a public works official announced this week.
Those dollars are approved under the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation program, with the federal government paying 88.5 percent and the county picking up the remaining 11.5 percent of the costs.
The Union Road bridge is scheduled to cost a total of $15.5 million with construction slated during the 2012-13 fiscal year, according to a report presented by Public Works Administrator Steve Wittry. It qualifies for replacement funds because it is rated as “Scour Critical” under the federal guidelines.
That “Scour Critical” rating means it has a high level of urgency for replacement, Wittry said.
“It’s up at the higher end. What that means, as the water goes underneath the river it takes away soil, and the foundation for the bridge can become in jeopardy,” he said.
The Hospital Road bridge is set to cost a total of $13.9 million with construction scheduled for the 2011-12 fiscal year, according to the report. That bridge qualifies because it has a low-water crossing, no longer considered a viable option for the area due to concerns from environmental and regulatory agencies.
Wittry said there was concern from environmental groups about encroaching on habitat such as that of the threatened red-legged frog.
Other bridges listed in the program set for funding down the line include those on Shore Road, Panoche Road, Rosa Morada Road and Rocks Road.
One of the bridges for which the county applied, on Anzar Road, did not receive approval under the program. County officials plan to continue working with the state to try to get it listed down the road.
“For whatever reason, it just did not meet the criteria this time around,” Wittry said.
Counties apply for the funds each year under the program, but he said it usually takes two years to go through the process.
