The Morton County Commission on Thursday approved a $300 payment for a temporary construction easement needed for a bypass during replacement of Bridge No. 30-128-19, located about one mile south of Elmont on County Road 86.

County road staff explained the structure will be replaced with a box culvert in the same alignment, and while permanent right-of-way is not required for the new structure, a temporary easement is necessary to construct the bypass. Road staff said the easement amount falls under the county’s $300 minimum for small temporary easements; the work is federally funded and the county followed NDDOT standards for acquisition.

Commissioners voted to approve the easement payment and advance the bridge project design and acquisition steps.