Commissioners adopt one- and six-year road/bridge program

YORK – In early February, each year, the road department presents its one- and six-year road/bridge program, which outlines special projects for the upcoming year and shows priorities to be considered for the near future.

​This year, Greg Heine and Ashley Rasmussen presented the one- and six-year plan, as they met with the York County Commissioners for a public hearing.
Heine explained how the majority of projects on the one-year plan were moved up from from the six-year list.
The projects on the one-year plan are:

• Clean ditches, replace culverts, rebuild road top and rock on Road 12, between Roads G and 11 for an estimated cost of $55,000
• Clean ditches, replace culverts, rebuild road top and rock on Road 20, between Roads R and S for an estimated cost of $65,000
• Clean ditches, replace culverts, rebuild road tops and rock on Road 24, between Roads N through Road P for an estimated cost of $68,000
• Clean ditches, replace culverts, rebuild road tops and rock on Road 9, between Roads G through 1, for an estimated cost of $80,000
• Clean ditches, replace culvert and rock on Road E, between Roads 12 and 13, for an estimated cost of $60,000

“In creating this plan, it should be noted how these are bigger projects rather than regular maintenance,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman, who works as a liaison with the roads department, along with Commissioner Daniel Grotz.
“Yes, these are the major projects,” Heine said.
“We look at all the projects and then determine what we can get done in one year as we want to meet our goal,” Rasmussen said.
Heine also noted how projects can be moved from the long six-year priority plan to the one-year plan if needed.
“This looks like an achievable list,” said Commissioner Randy Obermier.
“It is, weather permitting,” Heine said.
The commissioners also acknowledged how this plan is doable, barring any unforeseen weather events which could create emergency situations that push back these scheduled projects.
Obermier also said he’d like to see, along with the estimated costs, the estimated amount of time each project might require – in manhours. Heine and Rasmussen said they will provide that information.
“We have got to become more transparent with projects as to what the public can expect,” Bowman said. “We discussed this and we want to talk about the projects as we progress through the list. There is a lot of traffic on these roads and we want to provide more communication with the people who use them.”
Commissioner Deb Robertson asked for clarification that these are projects which will be undertaken by road department staff.
"That is correct," Heine said. "We contract out for bridges and overlays, but these are all projects which will be done internally."
The county board members voted unanimously to accept the one- and six-year program as presented.