Friday, April 26, 2024
Justin Latham, director of the Coryell County road and bridge department, recently gave an update about work done, a water board meeting he attended, and the availability of equipment that will help his crew do their work more efficiently.
Latham, who often receives reports about local property developments and has been involved in addressing some water concerns along with Justin Mannix, also of the road and bridge department, has had discussions with the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (MTGCD) about helping to protect water resources in Coryell County.
The Coryell County Commissioners Court voted in September in favor of an agreement that will allow the MTGCD to have more input in addressing local groundwater availability concerns.
"I attended the Middle Trinity meeting (on Oct. 6) and they approved the local agreement (with Coryell County)," Latham said. "They funded Patrick (Wagner, the general manager of the MTGCD) $149,000 to do a 3-D model of the aquifer in five counties."
The MTGCD serves Bosque, Comanche, Coryell and Erath counties, but the 3-D model will also include nearby Hamilton County.
As for road and bridge related work, Latham noted that 300 work orders have been completed this year and about 108 miles of road resealing work has been completed.
"We used 2.75 million gallons of water, and we installed two new bridges," he said.
To aid the department, the commissioners court approved the purchase of a used CRC tandem super chipper (chip spreader), which County Judge Roger Miller noted was budgeted for in the 2023 fiscal year budget.
"Supply chain issues are still a problem," Latham said. If the county had to purchase a new machine, "we might or might not get it in time for next paving season. If we don't have one by April, it will put us in a bind. This one has been used by (the Texas Department of Transportation) for 40 hours, which reduces the price by about $75,000."
Cost of the used chip spreader will be $359,592.
"Bosque County actually owns this identical model machine," Latham said. "We went over and drove it. It's light years ahead of what we have now. We think the one we have now is from the '70s. One thing I am uncomfortable with - it's computer-based, so if you have a wire go out. ..."
The good news is that the machine will be available to Coryell County immediately.
"We can take delivery now," Latham said. "The oil truck we budgeted for may not be as simple (to acquire). "The only negative about purchasing it used is the warranty is reduced. But (compared to) taking the sticker price off the lot, it's worth it."
In other action, the commissioners court approved a contract for a bridge bid with Yoder Bridge.
"We had one vendor bid (on a local project) and it was Yoder Bridge," said County Judge Roger Miller. "It was a little bit of an increase from the prices we currently have."
"It looks like inflation hit it - from $48,000 to $60,000," Latham said. "It's a 25 to 30% increase. This is not shocking to me to be honest, with the current cost aggregates in metal. We didn't budget enough and we'll have to adjust and spend less elsewhere."
Yoder Bridge is a father and son company based in Paris, Texas and features a three-person crew, Latham said.
"It's their specialty," said Commissioner Kyle Matthews.
Latham said the county is "in the habit of replacing two low-water crossings or other structures a year with (Yoder)."
