City awards new bridge inspection contract amid safety concerns

In a recent government meeting, Mayor Brown addressed concerns regarding the city's bridge inspection practices, specifically highlighting the performance of the engineering firm Benesh. The firm, which had been responsible for bridge inspections since 2022 and prior years, faced scrutiny due to what was described as a lack of thoroughness in their assessments. The mayor noted that severe issues reported in recent inspections appeared to have developed over a longer period, raising questions about the reliability of previous evaluations.

As a result of these concerns, the city has decided to discontinue its relationship with Benesh for bridge inspections and other engineering services. The meeting culminated in a motion to award a new bridge inspection contract to Hubbell, Roth and Clark (HRC), a well-established engineering firm in the region. The contract, valued at $56,223, was approved unanimously by the council members present.

This decision marks a significant shift in the city's approach to infrastructure safety, emphasizing the need for more rigorous inspections moving forward. The council's unanimous support reflects a commitment to ensuring the integrity of the city's bridges and infrastructure.