BERLIN – In an effort to ensure some sort of improvements can be made in the coming year, the Ocean Pines Association continues to research both repair and replacement options for the community’s aging bridges.
Bob Thompson, general manager of the association, told OPA’s board of directors this week that repair permits were being applied for and at the same time engineers were working on construction cost estimates for new bridges.
“We’ll have to make an educated decision but we need more information,” Thompson said.
Ocean Pines officials started looking at bridge repair and replacement options this fall after a report revealed that both the bridge on Ocean Parkway and the bridge on Clubhouse Drive had bridge sufficiency ratings below 50. Both structures are 40 years old.
Because the report recommended immediate repairs that should be made to both bridges, Thompson began working with DBF Engineering to acquire permits and have initial design work done.
He said permit applications would be submitted in November and a request for proposals would be issued in December. Proposals will be due in February, which is also when the permitting process should be complete. The work is expected to cost $243,100 per bridge.
“Everything should fall into place in February then we can move forward with the process,” Thompson said.
The repairs identified for the bridges would take about six weeks to complete on each structure. Thompson said the bridges would not need to be closed to traffic while repairs were made, as a single lane could remain open during the work.
As permits are being applied for and designs are drawn, DBF Engineering will also be putting together information and cost estimates for bridge replacement. Engineers will look at the benefits of both timber bridges as well as precast concrete bridges. The board of directors will be provided with that information in November.
“We’ll give you the pros and cons to both and our recommendation,” Thompson said.
In January, board members will be presented with the final cost projections associated with bridge replacement. At that point, Thompson said, the board will have to decide whether to move ahead with the repairs or instead pursue replacement.
Board member Dave Stevens questioned the need to research both options simultaneously. Thompson explained that until the association knew the costs associated with replacement and the funding options available, no decision could be made.
“Right now we need to have firm costs,” he said.
