The Board of Clark County Commissioners will consider local standards for privately owned bridges.
A public hearing will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
The proposed code amendments would not require inspections and possible upgrades to existing bridges unless additional houses are built or new lots are created, said Carolyn Heniges, bridge program manager for Clark County Public Works, in a press release.
In some cases, developers may be able to equip houses with fire sprinklers instead of upgrading a private bridge.
There’s an estimated 679 privately owned bridges in the county, and fire officials have expressed concerns that some may not be sturdy enough to support emergency response vehicles.
The county has been working with fire districts to help teach residents that bridges should be inspected every five years by an engineer.
