County forms Bridges & Roads group for grant

County Commissioners agreed to form a committee to identify and evaluate road and bridge repair projects for a federal grant program.

The Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint members from each of the four County precincts to find “Bridge & Dangerous Roads projects” that can be grouped together into a U.S. Department of Transportation “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant application.

The committee also would include two commissioners.

“We are looking for applicable projects for the grant with the goal of eliminating and reducing accidents,” Texas Department of Transportation engineer Zach Husen told Commissioners.

Young County would be the first Texas county to apply for the grant, County Judge Win Graham said. The application opens in February, and requires a match in kind, in which County crews would perform some of the work, or in funds.

Potential proceeds from the grant could top $1 million, Mr. Husen said.

“We will have to build up a case for each project,” Judge Graham said. |It’s a lot of work but for a potentially big payout.”

Commissioners unanimously passed the motion to form the committee. They must now bring forward nominations of citizens from their precincts.