Commission sends bridge-weight limits and access concerns to emergency planning committee

Commissioners flagged low posted bridge weight limits after a recent bridge issue in Pickens County, saying several county bridges now restrict emergency vehicles from direct access and create potential response delays.

Larry Wilkerson told the commission that some posted limits were unintuitive and that flyers explaining the signs had not been widely distributed. "The bottom number on the vertical is the gross number... I saw today was 11 ton — it's 22,000 — engines are running 30, 35,000 pounds," he said, arguing that an engine or tanker cannot cross those bridges under the posted limits.

Members agreed the issue transcends individual districts and should be pursued countywide. A motion by Larry Wilkerson, seconded by Fabian Skelton, to send bridge-limit and access concerns to the emergency planning committee passed after a roll-call vote. Commissioners said they want DOT or county bridges staff to attend a future meeting or the county council’s transportation committee to clarify signage and removal options.

The commission instructed the emergency planning committee to catalogue bridges that impede engine/tanker access and to recommend operational adjustments (box-alarm routing, alternate response plans) to avoid isolated stations becoming unreachable.