Work on a bridge deck replacement near Emporia highlights a busy year for bridge work for the Lyon County Highway Department.
County Engineer Wayne Scritchfield says work is underway on redecking a bridge on Road 150 east of the Kansas Turnpike. Scritchfield anticipates construction through late September at that work zone.
This follows a bridge replacement on Road 310 south of Bushong completed earlier this summer.
Scritchfield says bridges fared relatively well during the hot and dry summer, although the lack of rainfall poses its own problems when it comes to maintenance.
Scritchfield says the federal government mandates inspections on a 2-year cycle. Several bridges that are vulnerable to flood damage are inspected annually. He says age can lead to problems, but conditions — especially ongoing exposure to water and salt — drive the inspection and repair or replacement processes more than anything else. Bridges built by the Highway Department are now mostly steel-decked, and Scritchfield says those have a typical life span of around 25 years.
There are over 360 “bridge-length” structures in Lyon County, meaning 20 feet at minimum. There are also over 10,000 documented culverts maintained by the Highway Department as well.
Off that topic, Scritchfield says the department is getting ready for winter weather. Treatment supplies are stocked and equipment is ready at this time, so the main thing to watch is the department budget.
