Clay bridges Two

That was quick. Here is a response to the bridge issue from County Engineer Chuck Iley. Below the response is a copy of the front page of the September 2006 bridge inspection report. As you can see, the bridge received the grade "Structurally Deficient"

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Mr. Kinder,

Thank you for your comments. We have been aware of the situation
concerning the CR 209 Bridge for some time and have been working with
FDOT to get this bridge replaced. I am not sure where the information
came from that indicated that it had not been inspected in three years,
but I am attaching a copy of the bridge inspection report dated
September, 2006, less than one year ago. That inspection determined
that the current weight restrictions on the bridge are adequate and
offer the proper protection for the public. The box marked "This report
identifies deficiencies which require prompt corrective action" is
unchecked. The bridge inspection program is funded and administered by
the Florida Department of Transportation.

This bridge is currently on the list for replacement by FDOT utilizing
funds slated for off-system bridge replacement. The project is to be
administered by FDOT, who has completed the design, permitting and
Right-of way for the project. Construction funds ($14.5 Million) become
available for the project in June, 2008, which is less than a year away.
With the schedule for construction to begin being so close, as well as
the fact that the reports do not indicate impending failure, the costs
associated with acceleration of the project at this point would not be
justifiable.

We currently do not have a commercial vehicle enforcement program in the
County. We rely heavily upon FDOT to enforce the laws concerning load
restrictions for commercial vehicles. However, we have been taking
steps to ensure that all contractors working within the County, as well
as the garbage haulers in the County, are aware of the load restrictions
on the bridge and adhere to them. If you should see any activity that
appears to violate these restrictions, we would be interested in knowing
about it.

I absolutely share your concern that we not have a repeat of the
Minnesota tragedy in Clay County. Protecting the safety of the
traveling public is my job, and it is not a responsibility that I take
lightly. We are scheduled to begin the replacement next year, and we
are working diligently to keep the threatened raid of the Transportation
Trust Fund by Governor Crist from pushing the project back further as
previous State budget cuts have done.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Chuck Iley, P.E.
Director of Development Services / County Engineer
Clay County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1365
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043
(904) 284-6301 Office
(904) 278-4708 Fax