Hall County public works reports crack sealing, ditch cleaning and bridge work as federal cost-share delays continue

Hall County public-works staff reported crews began crack sealing this week, plan to deploy a mastic unit in January, are cleaning ditches and box culverts, and are preparing engineering quotes and bids for bridge and culvert work.

The public-works presenter identified two 30-foot bridges with substandard roadway widths of about 17.5 feet and said the department is evaluating using bridge funds to replace them with larger box culverts or to bid full bridge replacements. "They are 30 foot bridges but their road width is only 17 and a half foot," the presenter said, adding those roads are fairly busy and need attention.

Commissioners asked whether delayed federal cost-share funding will affect the county’s plans. Staff said a multi-county 80/20 cost-share package has been delayed by a federal shutdown and that that could push projects out a year or more; staff said the county plans to keep the projects in the program because an 80 percent cost-share would substantially reduce local costs.

The department said it expects bids for box culvert work and overlays to be open in the next week and will have engineering quotes shortly. Crews also continue routine maintenance, including tree trimming in right-of-way and cleaning under bridges and culverts.