Walker County approves USDA-funded resurfacing, engineering and easements for multiple road projects

Walker County Commissioners Court on Aug. 11 approved several road and drainage actions: an intergovernmental agreement to accept federal funding for resurfacing part of Stouffville Lake Road under a U.S. Forest Service/USDA program; authorization for engineering work on Salt Lake Road; and approval of a temporary working easement for a drainage/culvert crossing on Wood Plum Road. Commissioner presenters said the Stouffville Lake Road resurfacing will be done using federal/USDA funds; county staff will be the coordinating office for the project, which includes segments in Walker and neighboring Montgomery County. Commissioners approved an agreement giving the judge authority to sign contracts necessary to accept and manage the funds; Montgomery County has an interlocal arrangement to cover the portions in that county and their attorney prepared protective language in the interlocal. The Wood Plum Road item sought a temporary working easement to access a culvert near Cedar Hill where access is tight; staff said property owners had been contacted but replies had not been received and the county needed easement approval in order to proceed once property owner cooperation is secured. The court approved the temporary working easement item as presented. The court also approved engineering authorization for Salt Lake Road so the county's in-house or contract engineer can start necessary design work. Commissioners discussed liability language in the interlocal with Montgomery County and emphasized the federal government prefers a single administering office. County staff said the USDA/Forest Service required one lead office to manage the project; the interlocal between counties and the federal agreement were drafted to reflect that requirement and to protect each county's interests. The court voted in favor of the items and those motions passed in open session.