Shelby County Supervisors approve bridge embargo resolution and other items

(Harlan) The Shelby County Board of Supervisors approved a number of items presented by County Engineer Brandon Burmeister at their meeting Tuesday.

The Supervisors approved a resolution placing load limits on selected “load sensitive” road surfaces to prevent frost break up, excessive load break up.  According to the minutes, this authority is granted to prohibit the operation of vehicles upon Secondary roads or impose restrictions as to weight of vehicle, except farm tractors, for a total period not to exceed 90-days when any said highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow or other climactic conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced. The Supervisors resolves to hereby order the County Engineer to enact load limits often 10 tons, at his discretion, on all granular surfaced roadways within Shelby County. These limits shall become effective upon agreement to enact embargoes and shall remain in effect until this resolution is redacted.

Brandon Burmeister has also completed the structure inventory and appraisal of certain county bridges in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards and has determined that some are inadequate for two-lane legal loads at allowable operating stress. The Supervisors approved a resolution that vehicle and load limits be established and that signs be erected advising of the permissible maximum weights on the bridges affected.

(See the list of bridges affected by the resolution listed below)

Burmeister then asked for approval of amending the Current Secondary Road Five year program, changing the federal grant funding amount for two Competitive Highway Bridge Program projects from 75% to 55% of estimated project costs. The Supervisors unanimously approved. Burmeister also asked for Supervisor approval of an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for pavement on County Road F-58.  The Supervisors approved the agreement.

In other activity, several county residents expressed an interest in being appointed to the Conservation Board. Paulette Madson was recommended by Darin Haake and the Supervisors all voted in favor or nominating Paulette Madson to the Shelby County Conservation Board.