QC votes to repair bridge

PRESCOTT – In a special called meeting of the Nevada County Quorum Court Thursday, the panel voted to approve buying materials to repair a county bridge.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass said the state had inspected the bridge and told him the county had six months to repair or replace it or the bridge would be condemned. The bridge in question is over Caney Creek in the Lackland Springs Community near Bluff City.

Ordinarily the county judge could have approved the expenditure without problem. However, at the court’s May meeting, it was decided the court would need to be contacted about any spending of more than $20,000. The bridge repair will cost $23,105.60. The bridge is wood, Glass said, and the state said the only thing that could be used was the pilings.

To expedite the situation, the justices of the peace declared this an emergency so the materials could be bought without going through the bid process. It was decided to use Gilbert Lumber to buy the wood.

Glass plans to use summer help from students to repair the bridge. The students will be supervised. He said it’ll take about a month to fully repair the bridge and it’ll be hard work.

Initially, JP Bob Cummings said the purchase would have to be let for bid, unless an emergency was declared. The JPs agreed the state’s possible condemnation constituted an emergency.

Glass said the sale price includes tax, but could be less if the price of wood drops. The bridge will be barricaded while work is underway to prevent it from being used. The materials will be kept on a trailer and transported to and from the worksite to prevent them from being stolen or vandalized.

Cummings suggested buying a couple of deer cameras to set up and get pictures of anyone who may come and try to damage or vandalize the project or equipment. The court agreed.

Glass said the cameras can be used for other things and on other projects as well.