The Newton County Board of Supervisors discussed getting funding for potential road and bridge projects at their meeting on Thursday.
County Engineer Duane Stanford said that the federal inspectors could close seven bridges in the county that are under the supervision of the Office of State Aid Road Construction if they don’t pass federal inspections, which are scheduled for this summer.
Stanford said the county doesn’t have any more State Aid funds to repair the bridges, but it does have more Local System Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation Program funds.
Stanford said the county had around $290,000 left in LSBP funds.
Supervisor Joe Alexander said that there could be some roads that have two bridges with wooden pilings that could be closed even if the county replaces the pilings on one of the bridges.
Stanford said that the LSBP funds can be swapped with a neighboring county for State Aid funds, and that the county may be eligible for BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The board also approved a bid for the purchase and installation of a new air conditioning unit at the county Election Commissioner’s office.
