During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the maintenance and accessibility of essential fire control equipment for a group of property owners affected by degraded load ratings on canal bridges. A speaker highlighted that since August 2024, they had reviewed Centralia's budgets over the past decade, revealing that only one capital project related to bridge maintenance had occurred since 2018. This project involved the rebuild of the Peterson Mud Run Bridal, which was the last of 11 bridges under the Yelm Hydro Project's responsibility.

The speaker noted that while the bridges had been regularly maintained and upgraded until 2018, there has been a noticeable lack of documentation or projects for bridge maintenance in the years following. This raises concerns about the long-term responsibility for these structures and the potential implications for public safety and access to essential services.

As Centralia prepares its budget for 2025-2026, the speaker urged the council to consider the historical context and ongoing responsibilities associated with the Yelm Hydro Project bridges. The meeting then transitioned to a presentation on downtown trees, led by Assistant Public Works Director Andy Oian, indicating a shift in focus to community beautification efforts.