Laserfiche WebLink
Priority 5: Bridge and Structure lmprovement Project <br />Through ongoing efforts to identify hazards near and/or at bridges or structures countywide, 178 structures <br />were identified to have deficiencies, These bridges or structures have been codified into three types. Code <br />3 has been assigned to bridges or structures that have no rail or timber rail with 60 being identified. Code 2 <br />being assigned to bridges or structures for no approaches or non-crashworthy railing with 100 identified; <br />and Code 1 being assigned to bridges and structures for rail that does not meet current AASHTO Manual <br />for Assessing Safety Hardware Standards (MASH) and 1B were identified. With the high quantity of <br />deficient safety measures on structures being countywide, an approach by maintenance district grouping <br />was implemented to allow for rail improvements in a series of prolects, As further data, such as survey <br />information, was collected to provide preliminary engineering options to implement these improvements to <br />reduce the severity of crashes that have or may occur at these structures, another element was identified. <br />By adding rail to these deficient structures, the County found that any improvements implemented would <br />not create an improvement at all, Attaching to a deficient structure would not meet current standards, as it <br />would change Code 3 to Code 1 but not reduce identified hazards and no protection for enant vehicles <br />leaving the roadway would still be present. The narrow structures, narrow roadways, and lack of shoulders <br />create a larger project at each site, therefore, another approach is required. A planning project that would <br />allow for the research necessary to create a viable solution meeting the Target Zero goals, standards, and <br />be a costeffective solution for the County is a viable approach. <br />With further research, planning and preliminary engineering, a prolect that would be successful for these <br />structures is necessary, As county forces are limited, a project that would allow for consultant services to <br />assist in creating a crashworthy and cosleffective solution is a priority for Kittitas County. Structure <br />widening or replacement prolects that allow for improvements to meet current standards is an approach <br />that must be considered and planned for, <br />22