Bridges, Almota project on six-year T.I.P. plan

Bridge ratings and a separation of right-of-way on the Almota Road project were two new elements of the six-year Transportation Improvement Program heard by county commissioners Monday.

Public Works Director Mark Storey reported the estimated $300,000 in bridge rating work is intended to be done this fall, with a contractor to be hired.

The ratings will evaluate the county's nearly 300 bridges – assessing how much weight they can safely bare. Whitman County's bridges were last rated in the early 2000s.

Annual inspections check for structural deficiencies.

The second item added to the six-year plan is adding a third-phase right-of-way acquisition to the Almota Road reconstruction.

The plan is updated each year to have a six-year plan in place at all times.