By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

BEAUMONT — More than two and a-half years after Hurricane Rita slammed Southeast Texas shorelines, repair projects are still ongoing at Walter Umphrey State Park and the Sabine Pass Boat Ramp.

On Monday, Jefferson County Commissioners approved a $31,835 expenditure for additional bulkhead repairs.

County Engineer Don Rao said repair work at the park was nearing completion when additional damage was discovered along the bulkheaded area along the park’s perimeter. Some of the sheet pilings will have to replaced as well as sidewalks on top of the area.

Rao said he expects the bulkhead work to be completed by mid-June. When finished, repairs to the park should be complete, he said.

Other Rita repairs — the boat ramp on the lake side of Texas 82 and boat ramp at Sabine Pass are almost completed — Rao said.

Commissioners also approved a temporary surface lease agreement between Austin Bridge and Road and Jefferson County. The construction company has been contracted by the Texas Department of Transportation to replace the Port Arthur Causeway Bridge for a total cost of $19 million.

Because the bridge is adjacent to Walter Umphrey State Park, Austin Bridge representatives requested they be allowed to establish an office/staging area and temporary bulkhead/ramp at an area of the park that is not utilized.

In other matters, the Commissioners approved a $7,943 annual expenditure for the purchase of 90 phones for use in polling places during elections.

The annual contract provided by Sprint offered the best price and free phones, Carolyn Guidry, County Clerk, said.

According to Guidly, the state requires that election workers be able to communicate with the her office during elections. Communication is more important now that the county has gone to electronic voting equipment, she said.

The yearly contract is cheaper than month-to-month, Guidry said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Mark Domingue said there some voting places in remote locations do not have access to phones.

The unbudgeted expenditure will be paid from the County Clerk’s electronic services funds.