President Croke reported the purpose of the meeting was to provide community members with information about the Treasure Island bridge replacement project and to provide them with the opportunity to comment and ask questions. He noted that the Club is pursuing financing for the project through the private sector and also through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). As part of the application procedure for loan programs through the USDA, a public informational meeting is required.
Bridge Commissioner, Roger Hansen, explained why the Club is pursuing replacement of the bridge as opposed to repairing it. Built in 1953, the bridge has surpassed its projected 50 year life expectancy and the structure is in poor condition. The Club spent approximately $350,000 last year on repairs to about 20% of the structural components. These repairs were estimated to last five to ten years; the remaining 80% of the components are continuing to deteriorate and will also require extensive repair and/or replacement. The engineers estimate that the cost would be at least one million to continue with repairs during the next ten years; he noted financing would not be available for said repair projects.
Under the current building codes, repair and replacement of the bridge components is limited to 60% of the structure. When the cumulative repairs reach the 60% level, the bridge would have to be brought up to current codes which would include a 22-foot clear driving lane. It is not possible to widen the existing single lane to a 22 foot lane on the existing bridge structure. With consideration for the inevitable replacement of the bridge, continuing to make repairs would not be cost effective.
Roger reported the Club’s membership approved of proceeding with preliminary engineering for a new bridge last November. One of the first tasks in this process was the completion of a survey to locate the property lines for the bridge tract that is owned by the Club and to determine where the existing bridge is located in relation to those property borders. It was determined that the bridge in located on the centerline of the 60 feet wide bridge tract which extends approximately 800 feet across the waterway between the mainland and the island. He noted the County’s road right-of-way approaching the west end of the bridge is 40 feet wide.
The survey verified that a new bridge with a 22 feet driving lane can be constructed within the boundaries of the Club’s property on the south side of the existing bridge. This will entail constructing the northernmost side of the foundation for the new bridge just underneath the existing bridge and will enable the Club to maintain access to the island during construction.
Roger noted that building a new bridge on the north side of the existing structure would not be feasible. The radius of the curve that would be required to enter the bridge from the island side would be impossible to navigate and would not meet county road requirements; and there is not enough room for installation of a storm water retention vault at the east end of the bridge due to the proximity of a well site. He explained that current codes will require that all the storm water that collects on the bridge will have to be directed to storm water vaults at each end of the bridge; the water will be filtered through the vaults and then released into the waterway.
In answer to questions, Roger indicated on the displayed preliminary bridge design how the west end of the bridge will join with the existing road at the west end; the bridge roadway will curve slightly to stay within the right-of-way boundaries as it meets up with the existing landing. At that point, the new bridge will intersect and replace the existing bridge.
The profile of the new bridge will follow that of the existing bridge to maintain clearance under the structure for marine traffic. The bridge will be constructed of concrete with steel piles; the steel cased piles will be filled with concrete. There will be a total of 48 piles, replacing the 137 creosote piles that currently support the bridge; the spans between piles will be 51 feet.
Roger addressed questions that were submitted.
A citizen commented that it is very difficult to visualize where the landing for the new bridge will be on the mainland and requested that some markers be installed to indicate where it will be located. Roger agreed to mark approximate locations with marking paint.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 PM.
Linda Pryor
Secretary