Commissioners rate roads, outline future projects

Road projects are planned for all four of McLennan

County’s precincts in the upcoming year, and conditions of county-maintained roads vary widely, according to the annual road report commissioners recently completed.

In addition to road condition and construction updates, the report also states more than 900 traffic signs across the county went missing or were damaged in the past year.

Road-condition ratings for the state-mandated reports are left to commissioners’ discretion because there are no set standards, County Administrator Dustin Chapman said.

Precinct 1

Precinct 1 is in the beginning phases of a project to widen, expand and update Surrey Ridge Road. Engineers completed the design phase and are working to secure needed right-of-way. The project is expected to cost more than $4.4 million. Surrey Ridge is one of several road projects the county if funding with a series of bonds.

Precinct 1 has 216 county maintained roads covering almost 239 miles. Paved roads cover 187 miles, and all-weather limestone gravel roads cover 52 miles, according to the report.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Kelly Snell gave the precinct’s roads, culverts and bridges an overall rating of “fair.” Snell projected $850,000 will be needed for maintenance in the upcoming fiscal year.

The report also states 257 traffic control devices have been defaced or torn down in the past year.

Work is also continuing on the 12th Street bridge, which has been down for about two years. The project is expected to cost more than $500,000, and a grant will cover most of the cost. The county’s contribution is projected to be $18,000.

Crunk Bridge has also remained down for about a year and was recently approved for a Texas Department of Transportation program, with the county set to cover 3.8 percent, or $21,255, of the total cost.
Source http://www.wacotrib.com/news/mclennan_county/commissioners-rate-roads-outline-future-projects/article_77a2a1f3-4382-5671-9d93-54bddf8bfc9d.html