Welcome to Town of Turtle, Rock County!
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A Letter From Your Chairman
Dear Town of Turtle Residents,
On August 19, 2022, the Lathers Road bridge was closed permanently following the annual inspection by the Department of Transportation. The bridge report is very detailed, outlining the damage and fractures causing the bridge to be unsafe. The Town Board has taken action, together with the Rock County Department of Public Works, to apply for Federal grants to build a new bridge. We have been approved for the grant, which would provide for a new bridge in 2027. With the failure of our iron bridge, we have requested that the timeline for the new bridge be moved up if possible. We have not yet heard back on the request to expedite the timeline. There have been a lot of questions about what we are going to do with the iron bridge. We are in the process of finding out what the costs would be to keep the bridge in place. We do not have any solid numbers yet for the repair and painting, but a best guess is that would be in the two hundred thousand range which does not include the cost for repairing the foundation issues. Additionally, if the bridge is kept in place, even if just as a walking bridge, all repairs must be made, and the bridge must be inspected every year to insure it meets a safe standard. Furthermore, if we keep the iron bridge and build a new bridge beside it, additional easement will need to be secured adding to the cost of a new bridge. These costs would most likely be all on the Town, as it doesn’t appear there is any grant money available for the repair of the old bridge. The process has already begun to select an engineering firm for the design of a new bridge. Members of the Town Board participated in that process with Rock County DPW locally and now the State DOT will complete the process. Certainly, there are many more questions than answers as to what direction we will take in determining the future of the bridge. We have heard from a lot of people about the need to maintain a bridge over the creek at Lathers Road, and I think we all agree. Obviously, there is a lot to be taken into consideration, and as we go forward the matter will be on the Town Board’s agenda. I encourage folks with concern and questions to watch the Town’s website for updates and action to come before the Board at the monthly meetings.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Roger Anclam Chairman
On August 19, 2022, the Lathers Road bridge was closed permanently following the annual inspection by the Department of Transportation. The bridge report is very detailed, outlining the damage and fractures causing the bridge to be unsafe. The Town Board has taken action, together with the Rock County Department of Public Works, to apply for Federal grants to build a new bridge. We have been approved for the grant, which would provide for a new bridge in 2027. With the failure of our iron bridge, we have requested that the timeline for the new bridge be moved up if possible. We have not yet heard back on the request to expedite the timeline. There have been a lot of questions about what we are going to do with the iron bridge. We are in the process of finding out what the costs would be to keep the bridge in place. We do not have any solid numbers yet for the repair and painting, but a best guess is that would be in the two hundred thousand range which does not include the cost for repairing the foundation issues. Additionally, if the bridge is kept in place, even if just as a walking bridge, all repairs must be made, and the bridge must be inspected every year to insure it meets a safe standard. Furthermore, if we keep the iron bridge and build a new bridge beside it, additional easement will need to be secured adding to the cost of a new bridge. These costs would most likely be all on the Town, as it doesn’t appear there is any grant money available for the repair of the old bridge. The process has already begun to select an engineering firm for the design of a new bridge. Members of the Town Board participated in that process with Rock County DPW locally and now the State DOT will complete the process. Certainly, there are many more questions than answers as to what direction we will take in determining the future of the bridge. We have heard from a lot of people about the need to maintain a bridge over the creek at Lathers Road, and I think we all agree. Obviously, there is a lot to be taken into consideration, and as we go forward the matter will be on the Town Board’s agenda. I encourage folks with concern and questions to watch the Town’s website for updates and action to come before the Board at the monthly meetings.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Roger Anclam Chairman