County closes Red Gulch bridge in Shell area

County engineer Willie Bridges addressed the closure of a bridge on County Road L32H at the June 17 meeting of the Big Horn County Commission.

The county received a letter from WYDOT stating the bridge was about to fail. The letter stated, “Structure EJG is a four span timber girder bridge located about 12 miles east of Greybull. This bridge carries County Road L32H over Red Gulch and was built in 1950. This bridge currently has a load posting restriction in place. This bridge was most recently load rated in 2018, which resulted in its current load posting restriction of 5 tons for the single unit vehicles (2-3 axles, 4-5 axles, and 6 plus axles), 10 tons for the semi-trailer, and 11 tons for the full-trailer combinations. Since 2024, the bridge superstructure has been rated in a serious condition, and it has been closely monitored for changes.” 

Southend Road & Bridge Supervisor Shannan Hovey closed the bridge on Friday, June 13. The plan is to put up non-moveable barriers to ensure no one crosses it. The closure impacts two property owners who will have to traverse a mile or so down the road to cross on another bridge to access their property. 

Bridges said, “We’ve known it has had some issues for a number of years with cracks and splits those girders.” He surmises that the WYDOT bridge inspectors feel that the liability has become too great. He said trying to repair the old timber bridges really means rebuilding the entire bridge. 

Commissioner Bruce Jolley asked when WYDOT determined two other bridges in Big Horn County (Highway 14E Shell Creek and Rairden) needed to be replaced if this bridge was part of the assessment. 

Bridges said the Red Gluch bridge was discussed but at the time WYDOT felt the problems with the foundation on the Shell Creek bridge were greater and more critical to the traffic needs. He is concerned that the notification took so long to reach the county. The bridge inspection was done in February. The notification was received in June. 

Commission Chair Deb Craft asked about the next step. Bridges said the county is going to have to replace the bridge. He said a good open waterway for this bridge was needed because of storms in the hills where the water comes through there. However, the height doesn’t need to be the same as what is there. Currently from the bottom of the bridge to the water is 17 feet. Bridges would recommend a box culvert with a 14 x 10 feet opening and changing the grade of the road to lower it to 6 feet above the water. This would allow water from a big gully washer to cross over the road if the culvert couldn’t handle it. 

The county would take around $200,000 from the County Road Fund to build a new bridge. Commissioner Dave Neves asked if there was any money available from WYDOT to help pay for this bridge. Bridges said he would ask. 

It was also mentioned that the Red Gluch bridge has been posted with lower weight loads for quite some time. But there are trucks with heavier weight loads going across it all the time. 

In the inspection report it was noted that while the inspection was going on an end dump backhoe on a trailer went across. The inspectors watched the bridge deflect. Bridges explained that every time a vehicle over the weight limit goes over, it causes damage to the bridge. 

LIBRARY BOARD  

After reviewing and discussing all the applicants for the library board the commissioners voted to fill the three open seats. Lea Sorenson was reappointed. New board members appointed were Cari Waterworth of Greybull and Bryan Baird of Lovell. 

SHERIFF 

Sheriff Ken Blackburn and staffer Natalie Wardell spoke to the commission about a potential health care agreement.  By enrolling with Trinity Health, the county could save money on medical care for inmates. If an inmate is registered in the Affordable Care Act, medical expenses incurred while incarcerated could be covered, as would prescriptions. The discussion moved into an executive session for contract negotiations.  Upon return to the regular session, the commission decided additional information from Trinity Health was required before a decision could be made. 

OTHER ROAD/BRIDGE NEWS

• Chip sealing will start the week of June 23. The crews will start on the GP Road. 

• A public hearing was held regarding the vacating of a portion of the Old Greybull River Road. No one attended. The commission approved the vacation.

• Hovey and North End Road & Bridge Supervisor Eric Mann gave department reports. 

• The commission approved an extension on a contract between the county and Pryor Mountain Engineering.