Replacing of the University bridge to begin soon

Work on special projects is progressing throughout District 2. In the south we have finished building the road base with shale on Forrest Hills (No Name) from Pine to Midwest. Recently we installed tinhorns which are critical in establishing proper drainage for the road and right-of-way. All of this is in preparation for a 2 ½” laydown of asphalt which we hope to apply by the middle of November.

Logan County Commissioner Mike Pearson

Closer to Guthrie we will soon begin the process of replacing the bridge on University, east of Midwest. To start with, we will remove trees and brush on the right-of-way and build a low-water crossing. The next step will be to remove the old bridge and pour concrete footings in preparation for the precast, reinforced concrete spans. This new, prefabricated bridge will be 26’ wide and 27’ long. It will conform to all ODOT standard specifications for highway construction and will be posted as a 20 ton bridge. A weight limit this high will enable the passage of construction equipment should it be needed at a future time for housing development in the area.

Toward the northern part of District 2 we will shortly be hauling gravel from a rock quarry near Cushing, OK, and placing it on Post Rd. north of SH 33. As weather and time allow, we plan to build up this section of Post with 800 plus tons of 1 ½” gravel.

Each year the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) provides applications to government entities who wish to apply for Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant funding. REAP is funded by the Oklahoma State Legislature and administered by ACOG. The application
contains a lengthy list of qualifying elements which are rated on a point system, including the county’s current annual budget, cost benefit of the project, amount of local sales tax, amount of in-kind and cash leveraged funds, project readiness, area population and average daily traffic count. This past week we submitted four applications, the maximum number allowed. These were requests for funds to pave Indian Meridian from SH 105 to Industrial, Douglas from SH 33 to SH 105, Post from SH 105 to Industrial and Triplett from Pine to Midwest. Many entities compete for this funding but grants with the most points will be awarded Dec. 20, 2012.

I would also like to remind people about the solid waste cleanup District 2 is conducting. We are providing a dumpster at the county shop at 1550 N. Midwest Blvd. This dumpster will be available to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for national holidays, during the months of October and November. If it is necessary for someone to bring solid waste to the dumpster on Saturday, appointments can be made by calling our office at 282-3405,
or my cell phone, at 650-0384.The dumpster will be available for solid waste only. Items which will not be accepted include garbage (any kind of food or vegetation), hazardous materials, appliances containing Freon, rubber tires and liquids.

We are hoping this service to the community will negate the need for anyone to dump trash on county right-of-way. We would appreciate it if everyone reading this announcement would pass the word on to neighbors and friends and help us make a difference in the county!