Bids were opened Wednesday for repairs to Bird’s Bridge on the Old Asheville Highway. The floods from hurricane Helene damaged the bridge and scoured beneath the piers upon which the bridge sits. Erosion along the river bank also undercut some of the supporting concrete.
Summers-Taylor was the only contractor which submitted a bid, with a cost of $2,872,389. Of that total, $1.7 million will be needed to haul in rock and build construction a road into the river to allow equipment to access the bridge. The scouring beneath the piers was significant enough to require that extra step.
Greene County Highway Superintendent Kevin Swatsell said that there are enough funds in the county’s State Aid to cover the cost of repairs at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Depending on the timing of the permitting process, construction could begin in March. Swatsell said if the weather cooperated and no surprises were found, the repairs could be completed in around sixty days.
Once the repairs are completed, the rock used for the construction roads will be spread along the river bank for future erosion control.
The other county owned bridge on Poplar Springs Road was completely washed away and replacement costs and dates for that bridge have not been determined.
