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County engineer outlines bridge repairs, road work and seeks approval to buy used SUV up to $35,000
Summary
The county engineer reported on bridge rehabilitation, gravel‑road mowing, and a pending Ordway Road bridge replacement; supervisors approved a request allowing purchase of a used SUV for up to $35,000 from capital budget funds for sign inventory and travel.
Blackhawk County’s county engineer updated the Board of Supervisors on road and bridge projects and secured authority to purchase a replacement used SUV for the engineer’s office up to $35,000.
Cathy Nicholson, speaking as county road engineer, said mowing of the gravel road system will finish this week and that a contractor is completing rehabilitation work on a bridge on Eagle Road and will move to another Eagle Road bridge this week. She said a contractor is finishing work on a separate road project and that a patch on Dubuque Road is expected soon. “That very busy road will reopen,” she said.
Nut graf: Nicholson said the Ordway Road bridge work was deferred until necessary off‑road concrete work is completed and until temperatures remain suitable for pouring closure concrete. She described removing an old timber deck and preparing piers and abutments; a new timber deck has been received and the replacement will resume when weather and scheduling permit.
Nicholson also asked the board to approve spending up to $35,000 to buy a used all‑wheel‑drive SUV three to seven years old with roughly 60,000–80,000 miles, for sign inventory duties and travel. She said the FY‑26 capital budget included $30,000 for vehicle replacement but requested the higher cap to allow flexibility in the used‑vehicle market. The board approved the purchasing authorization and instructed staff to return next week with the specific vehicle and explanation of how it met criteria.
Ending: Nicholson said the bridge crews will return to Ordway Road after completing off‑road concrete work and that staff would report back to the board with the specific vehicle selected under the approved cap.
