By Brian Graves

Picayune Item

Some of the county’s bridges are about to receive long-awaited renovations and replacements; however, there will be some inconveniences for local drivers as the construction begins.

Two of the bridges – one on Walkiah Bluff and another on Shanandoah Road – will require a diversion of traffic.

County Engineer Les Dungan said the contract for Walkiah Bluff, which will be paid for using Federal funding, has been finalized, giving the green light for construction to begin.

Walkiah Bluff is one of eight county bridges scheduled for replacement using state Emergency Bridge Road and Repair funds, state Local Bridge System funds, and state aid road construction funds.

Since that bridge is only wide enough for one-way traffic, Dungan said there would need to be a diversion plan for traffic using that bridge.

Two bridges on Silver Run Road, also in that group, have also gotten the green light to proceed with replacement.

Dungan said details are being worked out for replacement of the bridge on Shenandoah Road, which will require the placing of a temporary diversion bridge at an estimated cost of $9,000.

That bridge is one of three being funded with a combined total of $500,000 in state funds and $175,000 in county funds.

A definite time frame for when construction will begin on these projects has not been announced; however, Dungan said he will meet with engineers this week to plan a construction schedule and design traffic diversion plans.