COUNTY ENGINEER BRIDGE CONCERNS

County Engineer Bill Lozier this week lowered the weight limits on a number of smaller County bridges. He is concerned about the condition of some 60 aging bridges of the County’s inventory of some 400-spans. Lozier says he will continue to reduce weight limits and if necessary close bridges to keep the public safe. Recently he closed a Martinsburg Road bridge. The Engineer says while the County needs to be on a 15-bridge per year replacement schedule, reduced funding permits only eight yearly replacements. Road and bridge funding for the Engineer comes from the declining gas tax and vehicle registration fees.