County Prepares for Bridge Upgrades on John Brown and Old 50 Highway

During the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners meeting on August 20, 2025, significant discussions centered around the maintenance and improvement of the county's aging infrastructure, particularly two historical bridges. The first bridge, located at 1525 John Brown, built in 1930, and the second at 1475 Old 50 Highway, constructed in 1928, are among the oldest in the county. Their historical status presents challenges for necessary upgrades, including widening to support roadway improvements.

County officials reported progress on various infrastructure projects, including the completion of bridge aprons needed for upcoming chip seal work on John Brown. The county is also nearing the end of limestone work, with chip seal crews expected to begin their tasks soon, weather permitting. Additionally, Heartland Striping is addressing issues with peeling road stripes on John Brown, aiming to enhance road safety.

In equipment updates, the county is currently evaluating three different brands of motor graders, with demonstrations from John Deere, Komatsu, and Caterpillar scheduled. This evaluation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the county has reliable machinery for road maintenance.

Another topic of discussion involved a minimum maintenance road on Butler Terrace, where property owners have expressed interest in closing the road. The county plans to move forward with this request, having secured agreement from all affected property owners.

Looking ahead, officials are awaiting the biennial bridge report, which will provide further insights into the condition of the county's bridges and inform future maintenance decisions. The meeting underscored the county's commitment to maintaining its infrastructure while navigating the complexities of historical preservation and community needs.