2022-12-12 Quarterly update with Public WorksQuarterly Update with Public Works
December 12, 2022
11:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, County Manager Erik
Martin, Geoff Soderquist, Josh Metcalf, Nic Scott
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Public comment: None.
Construction updates 2022
Geoff Soderquist said his goal of the Public Works update is to give project and status updates and to
address any obstacles. Commissioner Swope would like to have projects divided by district and would
like to know if there are needs of the commissioners in order to assist with project completion.
Geoff said there will be numerous projects in the future for fish passage projects because there is state
funding available. The funding has timelines to use the grant funds that have moved the timelines to
replacing the fish passages. These will result in cost savings to the County.
Geoff said there are alternatives to right-of-way and imminent domain. There will be negotiations
needed for the Reynolds Road / Harrison Ave project. Burnett Rd and Spencer Road will have temporary
right of way issues.
Shorey Road stabilization: Geoff said Public Works is still working on a permanent fix. Will likely be
completed in 2024.
Centralia Alpha MP 15.79 Culvert Replacement: Geoff said the project is currently in right of way
negotiations and that the design is 98% complete. Geoff estimates funding will be from the STP funding
program. STP funding for Lewis County is split between Centralia, Chehalis, and Lewis County. Lewis
County then distributes funding to other cities within Lewis County. Geoff said this eliminates
competition and encourages partnerships.
Garrard Creek Bank Stabilization Interim Repair: 30% design complete and will be built in the summer
of 2023.
Bridge Report: Geoff said the annual bridge report for 2022 includes 204 and will continue to increase
due to fish passage and culverts. There are 8 bridges in Lewis County that have load restrictions. 24
bridges are classified as functionally obsolete and 84 are categorized as scour critical. There is one
bridge that is owned by Pierce County, but Lewis County owns the approach to it. 11 of the scour critical
bridges have fixes in place and 46 scour critical bridges have potential foundation issues that are to be
determined. Geoff said there was an unfunded mandate to re-evaluate bridges to undergo new load
ratings to include special haul vehicles. These typically include emergency vehicles. Geoff said Lewis
County is not on pace to meet the unfunded mandate requirements because the county does not have
any of the special emergency vehicles. The remaining anticipated cost to be in compliance is
approximately $300,000.
Training Opportunities: Geoff said Public Works is facing staffing shortages. These shortages are also
being seen statewide. Geoff feels that Public Works will have to use consultants due to the lack of
engineers in order to keep up with maintenance. This will result in more incurred costs to Lewis County.
Geoff said they are trying to develop a training program with the Working with the Washington Student
Achievement Council. The goal is to create a scholarship program to help with training opportunities.
Geoff said he is also working with CRAB to access state training programs.
Geoff said pavement has a point of elasticity. He said that when maintenance is deferred too long, the
temporary fixes no longer work. Growth in areas that have these maintenance needs is beginning to add
up. Maintenance is the goal to eliminate emergency issues.
Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.