WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE CONTRACT ITEMS FOR SOUTH MEYERSVILLE ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT

  

Washington County Commissioners took care of several items today (Tuesday) in correlation with the county’s project to build a bridge on South Meyersville Road over New Year’s Creek.

The court authorized the execution of a professional services contract with Strand Associates, Inc., approved an amendment to the county’s technical services agreement with Strand Associates and executed a task order to the agreement for bridge design.  The storm bypass project will address the lack of road access that occurs during flooding in the eastern portion of the county.

County Engineer Wesley Stolz said these items were originally brought forward in 2023 and received approval.  However, they were never executed since the county was still waiting on contract approval through the Texas General Land Office, which later agreed to provide $1,119,800 in grant funding for the project.

Stolz said preliminary design is already underway, and this approval kicks off surveying and geotechnical work.  Right-of-entry agreements with a landowner will be needed, and right-of-way acquisition will be involved.  He said he is “optimistic” that the negotiation stage of the process will move quickly, since the landowner has been open to selling the land during initial conversations.  Should it go smoothly, Stolz expects the county’s contracts will be in order for construction to start either late this year or early next. 

Commissioner Candice Bullock said the county recently met with Strand Associates to share concerns about how inflationary expenses might affect the project, but the firm gave reassurance that the project can remain within budget.

Also at today’s meeting, the court approved the purchase of eight Simunition P320s from GT Distributors for $14,229, using sheriff’s office forfeiture funds and Law Enforcement Office Standards and Education (LEOSE) training funds.  Chief Deputy Jay Petrash said these are training weapons, not duty handguns, that are needed during live fire training.

Commissioners also renewed bond for Elections Administrator Carol Jackson and heard a formal notice from GeoSouthern Operating LLC for a temporary lay-flat water line along the county right-of-way of Wolf Creek Road in Precinct 3.