This program is already being used by PennDOT to replace 558 structurally deficient state bridges, starting this summer. Using this P3 process, PennDOT believes the cost of a bridge replacement will drop from $2 million to $1.6 million.
According to a 2013 study of the County's bridges,
- Their average age was over 61 years, with some being over 100 years old.
- 22 bridges were "functionally obsolete," meaning they are no longer functionally adequate for the tasks for which they were originally designed.
- 27 bridges were "structurally deficient," meaning they have one or more structural defects that require repairs.
- 37 bridges are load posted and weight-restricted.
- Three bridges have been completely closed to traffic.
The County sets aside $780,000 each year for bridge maintenance. A typical bridge rehabilitation projects takes from four to six years and costs between between $1-2.5 million.
"We don't do bridges well," noted Hayden Phillips.
Once bridge repairs are completed, they will be conveyed back to the County.
Executive John Brown added that the County will continue participation in the Commonwealth Twelve-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TYP), which will enable it to to tap into federal funds for infrastructure.
In addition to saving money and making the community safe, Kevin Lott of the Lehigh Valley Building Trades told Council it would provide 800 jobs, "good paying jobs to people that live right here in the Lehigh Valley."
17 comments:
they are wising up in Norco.
The county sets aside $780,000.00 for bridge maint. each year. Someone is a liar here. I follow the budget mtgs. on line each year and if you review the PW budget ( Bridges line itmes) , all of the money that the bridge division receives is funding from penndot from various sources ( ACTS). The only money the county has put into the bridge work is the current bond which the county has barrowed. Like to know where that $780,000.00 the county supposedly puts into this budget went?
It might be liquid fuels tax money, but it is still taxpayer money that is spent every year. Nobody is lying.
The county needlessly lost over $2 million at Gracedale last year. It's why we can't have safe things.
Speaking of safe things your refusal to sign your name indicates you know all about playing it safe.
I am a bit confused by the statement...
" What they passed is a bridge bundling program - first proposed by Council member Bob Werner over two years ago - that employs common designs with fewer contracts to improve our infrastructure more efficiently and at less cost. "
Can you better explain exactly what this means from a design standpoint?
DRL
Many bridges have a similar design, so efficiencies can be achieved by bundling those with the some design together and working on them at one time.
By using similar designs, economies of scale (lower unit costs) are achieved by the contractor by ordering greater quantities of similar size components.
This also makes the design and contract document preparation more efficient by allowing the use of similar details across several structures.
The PennDOT P3 calls for the consortium to also maintain the bridges for 30 years and THEN turn the bridges back to PennDOT. Will the County P3 include a maintenance provision for a period of time?
Still not county money Bernie, it is state transportation money. There is a difference when county taxes pay for nothing.
Coounty taxes also pay for bridge repairs to the tune of about $780,000 per year.
YOU ARE WRONG, THE COUNTY PUTS NO TAX $$ INTO THE YEARLY BRIDGE BUDGET. REVIEW THE BUDGET AND LEARN. ALL MONIES ARE FROM PENNDOT. GEEZ!
No need for the caps lock. I believe the debt service on the bridge bond is ALL county tax dollars. If I am mistaken, I will admit it. I will find out.
Bond is separate from the yearly budget. Bond is a loan used to replace several bridges and to rehab several others over "three years" that were of a critical concern from Penndot bridge inspections. This money is not part of the county bridge divisions yearly budget. Still don't get it.
If you don't think debt service on the bridge bond counts, which does include taxpayer $, I can't really argue with you bc you are not even being logical.
Not part of the yearly bridge division budget as you so incorrectly stated previously. The yearly bridge budget is entirely pd. for with state funds. What don't you understand? The bond comes out of the general improvement funds in the administration budget , not public works or bridges and again NOT PART OF THE YEARLY BUDGET OF THAT DIVISION.
Can't be explained any clearer than that and very logical.
County tax dollars are paying the bridge bond debt service, so you are mistaken to argue no county money is going to the bridges. I will be checking this out, but am relatively certain you have it wrong. If i am wrong, I will say so. Now hold off on the insults until then.
Not insulting you, just pointing out the facts. The $780,000 budget you state has nothing to due with the bond and not county tax dollars, but Penndot LFT Act 655, Act 44,13 & 89 funds. By the way, each funding source from Penndot previously mentioned has its own county budget org number. If you review the bridge division budget, there is no tax money from the county entered into the yearly budget for salaries, maint ... It all comes from LFT.
The bond is from the general improvement account thru the administration budget. Those bond debts are paid by the county tax $, but the bridge budget and bond budgets are separate and two completely different funding sources. No penndot dollars can be used to pay for the debt of the bond and no county dollars are in the yearly bridge budget.
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