Bridge Rasies Conflict Between State Engineers and County Judge
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: January 21, 2013
"My main thought was, it just didn't look like it was that big of a problem," says Benton County Judge Bob Clinard.
State engineers originally suggesting that a Benton county bridge be brought down.
"That they had determined was not up to standards," Clinard says.
He first got word about it last month, but he disagreed, and wanted to check things out for himself.
"so, I took my road department down there with me," Clinard says.
Clinard, who has more than 40 years experience in construction, took a first-hand look at the bridge that sits over Hickory Creek on Cow Face Road.
"I got under the bridge myself, and had them drive some trucks over it," Clinard says.
"Put my hand up on the structure... and, it didn't move. It didn't even shake or wiggle."
The structure may look a little seasoned, but not yet past its prime according to Clinard.
"I determined that I wasn't going to close it immediately."
He says if this bridge were to be shut down it would pose a major problem for those trying to get to the inner parts of the county.
"They would have to go through the country, on dirt roads, gravel roads," Clinard says.
Not to mention avoiding potential costs if the bridge did need to be replaced.
"Even if the county did the work ourselves, it would be about $300,000.
Friday state engineers got back to Clinard with some info that it seems he already knew.
"Looked at their calculations and discovered an error," Clinard says.
"And that the bridge is OK. The bridge is substantially sound."
Case closed. Bridge open.
Clinard adds: "It's all just trying to protect the public."
State engineers originally suggesting that a Benton county bridge be brought down.
"That they had determined was not up to standards," Clinard says.
He first got word about it last month, but he disagreed, and wanted to check things out for himself.
"so, I took my road department down there with me," Clinard says.
Clinard, who has more than 40 years experience in construction, took a first-hand look at the bridge that sits over Hickory Creek on Cow Face Road.
"I got under the bridge myself, and had them drive some trucks over it," Clinard says.
"Put my hand up on the structure... and, it didn't move. It didn't even shake or wiggle."
The structure may look a little seasoned, but not yet past its prime according to Clinard.
"I determined that I wasn't going to close it immediately."
He says if this bridge were to be shut down it would pose a major problem for those trying to get to the inner parts of the county.
"They would have to go through the country, on dirt roads, gravel roads," Clinard says.
Not to mention avoiding potential costs if the bridge did need to be replaced.
"Even if the county did the work ourselves, it would be about $300,000.
Friday state engineers got back to Clinard with some info that it seems he already knew.
"Looked at their calculations and discovered an error," Clinard says.
"And that the bridge is OK. The bridge is substantially sound."
Case closed. Bridge open.
Clinard adds: "It's all just trying to protect the public."
