County commissioners approve RAP application

The Adams County Commissioners awarded the McManamon Bridge project bid to Halme Construction Inc., at the Aug. 27 meeting.

Halme Construction Inc. came in as the low bidder at $1,742,171.02, which was $100,526.95 under the engineer’s estimate.

In other business, the Commissioners approved project applications for the 2019-2021 Rural Arterial Program (RAP).

Public Works recommended submitting three projects for RAP funding at a July meeting. The first project is the Lind-Hatton Road Project No. 3, which consists of reconstructing a segment of Lind-Hatton Road, from Damon Road to the railroad tracks.

The second project is a reconstruction of Benge-Winona Road, from Ralston-Benge Road to east of Buttercup Lane.

The final project is McKinney Project No. 1, which consists of widening and a Bituminous Surface Treatment on McKinney Road, from Hatton to Bench roads.

Public Works Director Todd O’Brien said he is reviewing the agreement between the county and the Othello Fair Association for renting the Adams County fairgrounds.

Once O’Brien reviews the agreement, he will send it to County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt to finalize the document.

In solid waste, O’Brien said a steel trailer at the Bruce Transfer station caught fire on Monday, Aug. 20.

The Othello Fire Department extinguished the blaze and crews are monitoring the trailer while a fire investigator is reviewing the scene.

O’Brien said he has sent the county Solid Waste Management Plan to the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).

The agency has 45 days to review the plan, and O’Brien expects Ecology to return the document by mid-October.

Regarding personnel, O’Brien said he offered nine jobs to applicants, three maintenance worker jobs and six apprentice positions.

He explained the applicants are a mix of Adams County residents, people with ties to the area and others who are willing to commute.

O’Brien added he has met with crews in Ritzville, Lind and Othello to discuss how the apprentice program will affect Public Works’ maintenance operations.