Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bridges Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves solicitation for Eden Creek bridge components; staff says plans nearly complete
Summary
The County Commission voted July 22 to solicit competitive bids for piling and components for the Eden Creek Bridge. County engineering staff said bridge plans are about 95% complete, utilities are being relocated and a scour analysis and geotechnical work remain before construction.
At the July 22, 2025, County Commission meeting, commissioners voted to solicit competitive bids for piling and other components for the Eden Creek Bridge project on Connecticut River Church Road.
The vote authorizes procurement of the prefabricated components and piling that the engineering department said are needed so manufacturers can begin fabrication ahead of construction. The motion to solicit bids was made by Commissioner Weaver and seconded by Commissioner Corson; the motion carried.
The action matters because ordering long-lead fabrication items now should reduce later delays when construction begins, county staff said. Mr. Rawls, an engineering department representative, told commissioners the bridge work is being bundled with two other bridges as a single project to streamline approvals and construction scheduling.
“This is for the Eden Creek bridge we have, on the Connecticut River Church Road. It's just for ... pile in components for that,” Mr. Rawls said. He described the plans as nearly complete: “they're in the ... about 95% stage right now.”
Rawls said staff has met with utilities and private property representatives to relocate power poles and other lines ahead of clearing and construction. “I've met with Kevin Electric last week at the site ... we're trying to get all the utilities located and get those relocated so when we get the plans ready we're not waiting to start clearing,” he said.
Rawls also said the team is awaiting a scour analysis and accompanying geotechnical work to set pile depths. “Geotech we're waiting on ... we got a scour analysis so they can determine the depth ... they kinda work hand in hand,” he said.
No ordinance or state statute was cited during the discussion. The commission did not adopt design changes at the meeting; the action was limited to authorizing the solicitation of bids for components and piling.
Staff committed to provide cost estimates and additional paperwork at a future meeting once outstanding design comments are returned from the state and the scour and geotechnical analyses are complete.
Commissioners did not set a construction schedule at the July 22 meeting; Rawls said the project team expects plan comments back soon and will present cost details at an upcoming meeting.
