County presents updated five‑year highway and bridge plan after new inspections

The Codington County Board of Commissioners heard an update on the county's five‑year highway and bridge improvement plan, with county staff and Highway Superintendent Randy Fal outlining completed work, upcoming projects and changes made after this year's bridge inspections.

"This is an annual event…this is a fluid program," said Paul, a county staff member who led the presentation, describing how Banner and Associates' biannual bridge inspections shaped the updated schedule. Paul listed three completed projects — 14th Avenue, 43rd Street and County Road 3‑4 — and said several bridges were added to the plan so they would be eligible for federal funding should it become available.

Randy Fal detailed the priorities the county faces. He said the Cottonwood bridge — closed this year after inspections — will be re‑applied for grant funding after narrowly missing a prior round, while other bridges (including those near County Road 6 and old 81/County Road 11) were added or bumped in schedule depending on condition. "We're looking at a replacement probably out between 2027 and 2031," Fal said of one bridge that has deteriorated enough to require long‑term planning.

Fal also reported active road work: crews are repaving the bypass from I‑29 to Highway 212 (County Roads 10‑4/169th and 7‑5/460th) with an anticipated completion of the paving and striping in early October, and he warned drivers to use caution on recently chip‑sealed roads until final sweeping and striping are complete.

The board concluded the public meeting portion with no public comments and directed staff to submit the updated plan to the state after an anticipated county approval date of Oct. 6.

Closing note: commissioners emphasized the plan's flexibility depending on inspection results and the availability of federal grants, and made clear the plan is intended to position roads and bridges to receive outside funding when possible.