JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) moved in 2019 to outsource municipal bridge inspections or have cities hire their own inspectors moving forward.

According to the NDDOT, there are 119 structures designated by the National Bridge Inventory that require a routine inspection every 24 months or less. In addition, NDDOT must also complete underwater inspections every five years.

“With the decrease in NDDOT personnel, those inspections can no longer be performed as scheduled and NDDOT needs to make some changes or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will start to withhold federal dollars,” the department states.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson.

Hellekson says the city does not have a bridge inspector, but says comments have been submitted. There are nine bridges in the city that would need to be inspected, two of which the county considers the city’s responsibility.

City Attorney Leo Ryan says the agreement is short, but the concern would be cost.

Ryan says the city could enter the agreement with the NDDOT or explore hiring a certified engineer for inspections.

Councilmember Steve Brubakken said it would be nice to know costs involved before making a decision, whether it’s hiring a certified engineer or signing the agreement.

Councilmember Dave Steele inquired if the NDDOT had provided what bridges would need to be inspected soon and the cost, but City Engineer Travis Dillman stated they hadn’t received any information.

A decision was tabled until the next City Council meeting in February.

In other city news, Recycle North Dakota Director Ralph Friebel stated they were still having some slight trouble entering alleys with snow.

Friebel says the bucket is also the width of their truck, so they have some issues with maneuvering through some alleys.

It was also recommended that the City of Jamestown move forward with hiring Tyler Michels to be the next Sanitation Foreman.