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Steele County staff urge review of flex-fund bridge applications and possible removals; deadline set
Summary
County road staff outlined multiple flex-fund bridge and culvert applications and said state DOT flagged four bridges for potential removal; commissioners asked for local investigation before an Oct. 15 response.
County road and engineering staff briefed Steele County commissioners on a set of flex-fund applications for minor-structure bridge and culvert projects and reported that the state Department of Transportation has identified several federally inspected bridges the county might remove rather than replace.
Blake, a county road staff member who presented maps and cost estimates, said the county submitted five applications and that most individual projects cost roughly $400,000–$500,000. He advised commissioners that the flex-fund program is competitive and that the state is unlikely to approve more than one project; a 10% local contribution would be expected if a project is selected.
Blake said the DOT returned a list showing four bridges the agency would be willing to fund for removal rather than replacement and asked whether the county would accept removal without replacement. He described one specific location (Bridge 116-17 in Sherbrooke Township) where removal without funding to replace an adjacent structure would leave residents without adequate access.
Commissioners asked staff to inventory traffic, access options and replacement needs so the county can respond by the DOT deadline (Oct. 15). Staff said they will inspect the flagged bridges, talk with affected townships and return with recommendations at the next commission meeting.
Separately, road staff reported recent maintenance projects: culvert replacements on County Roads 4, 7, 10 and 16; ditch cleaning; and an upcoming chip-seal operation planned for Thursday and Friday that will affect County Roads 18 and 25. Staff said contractors will post signage and operate out of a staging area in La Verne.
