Bymer certified Bridge Inspector Team Leader for Kimball County

Kimball County Highway Department's own, Randy Bymer, is finally a certified Bridge Inspector Team Leader after a long process that began in 2013.

Bymer needed five years of field work training, followed by online courses, and a full two-week course in Lincoln for the National Highway Institute for Safety Inspection for In Service Bridges (NHI), which he completed in April of this year.

When field work began, Mike Sims and Bymer were working with Larry McCaslin, of Scottsbluff. McCaslin has been the Bridge Inspector serving Kimball County in years past.

"Larry talked with Dave (Hottell, County Highway Department Superintendent) about getting someone started on this training and courses," said Bymer. Hottell then approached Sims and Bymer about the possibilities.

"When Larry called, we went out and worked with him, no planned time frame, just whenever he had to inspect," Bymer added.

After completing the course, Bymer waited to become certified through the State of Nebraska, Department of Transportation Bridge Division.

Bymer has worked for the Kimball County Highway Department for nearly a total of 33 years, taking a few breaks in between the years. He has currently worked there since 2009.

"It is a huge benefit to the county now having a certified Bridge Inspector, and it is great to see more people taking incentive to better themselves through training,.This is a positive impact on the county as a whole," said County Commissioner Larry Engstrom.