By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Salisbury will be needing some bridge work in its future.
Inspections in June have led a consultant for the N.C. Department of Transportation to recommend that repairs be made to the East Bank and East Fisher Street bridges.
The Bank Street bridge repairs could cost $120,000 to $350,000, depending on the option city officials choose.
The Fisher Street bridge repairs, which involve cleaning and painting its structural steel, will cost an estimated $110,000.
The consultant ó HDR Engineering ó said the Bank Street bridge should have repairs at its bottom flange, bearing areas at beams and end bents that have corrosion and section loss. Joints at the end bents also should be repaired to prevent leakage and sagging, the consultant said.
A $120,000 estimate would cover the construction related to the “prompt action” items.
To comply with the Federal Highway Administration through its National Bridge Inspection Standards, the “prompt action” items must be addressed.
The $350,000 estimate would cover those items needing attention now, plus “prompt action” things likely to be mentioned at the next inspection in 2010.
The city’s Engineering Division recommends that the city hire Kimley-Horn Associates, whose structural engineers have submitted a design of Bank Street bridge repairs.
The professional design fee would be $25,000.
Once plans are complete and bids are opened, the City Council will decide which options to pursue.
In all, Salisbury is responsible for the maintenance of six bridges, which the state inspected in June.
Items noted for the Ryan Street and Ellis Street bridges have been taken care of, except for a timber cross brace on the Ellis Street bridge.
Traffic Engineer Wendy Brindle said the cross brace could be installed by a contractor when the Bank Street bridge repairs are made.
The Salisbury City Council will hear a report on the bridges at its 4 p.m. meeting Tuesday at City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
In other agenda items Tuesday, the council will:
– Hear plans for the installation of a stamped, demonstration crosswalk at West Innes and Fulton streets. The 8-foot-wide crosswalk will have the appearance of brick pavers and is being installed for free by Integrated Paving Concepts, which also did the crosswalk at Innes and Long streets last year.
– Consider awarding a $137,400 contract to Cloninger Ford for the purchase of six Ford Interceptor police cars.
– Consider a grant application to the Salisbury Community Foundation for holding an Outdoor Adventure Camp at Salisbury Community Park.
– Hold a public hearing on the 2007-2008 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, the principal means of reporting on the activities of the Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs underwritten by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The CAPER provides a picture of the city’s efforts at neighborhood revitalization.
– Hold a public hearing on a proposed Street Festival and Special Events Ordinance.
– Hold a public hearing to place a Conditional District overlay on the 7-acre tract at 1811 E. Innes St. The parcel includes the Rowan County Health Department and will house the new location for the Rowan Department of Social Services.
– Recognize Facilities Maintenance Manager Deb Young for earning the designation of Certified Energy Manager.
– Proclaim Sept. 17-23 Constitution Week and Sept. 21-27 National Adult Day Services Week.
Council meetings are streamed live at www.salisburync.gov/council/webcast.html.