Greene Co. to receive more funding for bridge replacement
WAYNESBURG — Greene County commissioners have announced that the county has been allocated $2 million from the state for the eventual replacement of the county-owned Burson Bridge in Morgan Township.
County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said at Thursday’s commissioners meeting that the county previously was allotted $245,000 for preliminary engineering of the project. Officials were recently informed that the county has been approved for the $2 million allotment.
Marshall said the funding will enable the county to “move forward” with the final design of the bridge, utilities, right of way and eventual construction of a new bridge.
Marshall said the bridge is slated to be built in 2014-2015, and none of the county’s funding streams will be used for the project.
The current bridge has a 20-ton weight restriction, and the new single-lane bridge will be wider and have an unrestricted weight limit.
Marshall said the project is “high on the county’s priority list.”
The current bridge, which runs over Ten Mile Creek near Clarksville, was built in 1957 and is 131 feet long.
In other business, the commissioners approved an agreement with Infocon Corp. of Ebensburg, a software developer and online service provider for county government offices and private industry.
The agreement will allow the county to replace its current support agreement for the offices of tax claims and the treasurer with online services and support.
The contract will enable the county to save as much as $20,000 over the next five years as no hardware will be required locally, officials said.
The commissioners also proclaimed March Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation offers advocates of developmental disabilities an opportunity to educate the public, policymakers and other system professionals about the challenges that come with intellectual disabilities.
The proclamation recognizes the thousands of service providers that encourage people with intellectual disabilities to lead full and productive lives.
The commissioners recognized Debbie Conrad of Carmichaels, an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) program consumer who is employed at Fairdale Inn in Carmichaels.
The commissioners and IDD staff also presented Conrad with a special certificate acknowledging her achievements in the community, including gaining employment and leading an independent life.