Engineers propose raising County Road 80 siphon; county to handle traffic control and final grading

Keith County road and engineering staff described a proposed project to raise a road section over a siphon south of the river on East County Road 80. Oak Creek Engineering prepared plans at the request of the irrigation district (NPPD/MPVD referenced) to pour a reinforced concrete slab at the siphon, raise the roadway by about 2 feet in places, and taper the approaches.

Roads superintendent Thomas (first name only in transcript) told the board the county's responsibilities under the draft agreement would be limited to traffic control and final grading; the irrigation district would supply materials and perform the bulk of the work. He said contractors are considering concrete mixes to speed cure time so closures could be reduced, and that the district hoped to perform the work in the fall, possibly coordinating with another nearby canal-road project.

Thomas said the road has lost about 2 feet of elevation over 40–50 years in the siphon area and that failure could damage equipment and expose the siphon. He emphasized harvest-season timing constraints: the district would avoid closing the road during harvest windows and the county should coordinate access plans with affected landowners. "Our only responsibilities in this agreement would be to do final grade and traffic control," Thomas said.

The county attorney had not completed review of the draft agreement at the meeting, and staff asked commissioners to withhold formal action until legal review is complete. Commissioners asked staff to press for clear timing and to seek construction sequencing that minimizes heavy-truck detours; one option discussed was a temporary shoe-fly for passenger vehicles to avoid a full closure to light traffic.

No agreement was signed at the meeting; staff were authorized to continue negotiations pending attorney review and to return with a recommended motion and schedule.