Skip Wilson, a bridge inspection engineer with MoDOT, recently completed an inspection of all 80 bridges maintained by the county and gave Warren County a relatively positive bill of health. "You are in such good shape here," Wilson told the Warren County commissioners Monday when he presented his findings. "You have a system to be proud of." Bridges are inspected at least every two years, Wilson said. The county's last inspection came in 2006. Wilson's evaluation found a total of eight bridges which were classified as structurally deficient. That represents 10 percent of the existing structures. "But the average throughout the 13-county Northeast Region is 22 percent," Wilson explained. "There are some counties with 30 and 40 percent of its bridges that are classified as structurally deficient and that is a cause for concern." Another four county bridges were classified as functionally deficient. "What it means for Warren County is that your bridges are in excellent shape overall," added Wilson. In examining a bridge, Wilson said, he checks the deck, the superstructure and the substructure for signs of deterioration and cracking. He also inspects the approach roadway alignment, bridge railing and culverts. A rating of 0-2 is considered deficient, while a score of 3-4 indicates a bridge in poor condition. A rating of 5 reflects a bridge in fair condition while a rating of 6 indicates a bridge in satisfactory condition. A rating of 7 indicates a bridge in good condition and a score of 8 or above indicates very good condition. "But even with your structurally deficient bridges, most of the work we recommend involves maintenance items rather than actual rehabilitation projects," said Wilson. "So again, you are well ahead of the district average in many cases." The bridge in the poorest condition in Warren County, according to Wilson, is the one spanning North Rock Church Road. Built in 1910, the 170-foot, two-span structure's center pier has sustained some scouring with initial undermining of the pile footing. Wilson recommended taking steps to protect the pier from further scouring. But the average daily traffic (ADT) count on the bridge with a 4-ton weight limit is only 50 vehicles, and Wilson said he didn't think the county needed to make it a top priority. The other immediate concerns include structurally deficient bridges on Morsey Road, Bernheimer Road, Charrette Creek Road, Godt Road, Bluff Road, Schomberg Road and Trembley Road. The commissioners said they will be able to cross the Charrette Creek bridge off the deficient list soon. Crews are in the final stages of building a new, three-span concrete structure. The Charrette Creek, Bernheimer and Bluff bridges are all at least 100 years old. Most of the bridges identified have low ADT counts, according to Wilson. Both the Bernheimer and Bluff bridges are eligible for full funding grants from the state. Of more significance, Wilson said, is the fact 36 of the 80 bridges, or 45 percent, in Warren County were built in 1998 or later. "That indicates you are keeping current with your bridge needs," said Wilson, "and explains why your county scores so well in inspections." Wilson also commended the county's highway department. "The bridges they build are top notch." "They also do road widening and straightening, plus all maintenance projects as well as bridges," said Warren County Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage. Wilson praised the county for effective use of funding mechanisms, including 80/20 state matches and bridge replacement offroads (BRO) formulas. "We make use of the programs available," said Engelage. County officials hope to be finished approving plans for another new bridge on Township Line Road within the next two-three weeks. That project could be out for bid in early June, officials said.