Commission approves settlement after design error raised bed caps on Green Bridal bridge

Christian County commissioners approved a settlement agreement on June 26 that resolves a design error on the Green Bridal bridge project and confirms the contractor’s insurer will cover the correction costs.

Highway Administrator Miss Beals told the commission the problem involved two bed caps in the creek that were built too high after an elevation was transposed from the deck to the bed-cap design. “The cost of that particular, error turned out to be a $101,395.93. The county, did not participate at all in the cost of that error,” Beals said. She said Great River Engineering’s insurer paid the full amount and county counsel had reviewed and signed off on the settlement and release the commission approved.

The nut graf: commissioners said the settlement resolves the immediate cost of the design error but a second, separate issue (identified in the meeting as “issue number 2”) remains under legal review and is delaying completion of the project. Commissioners and staff described plans for a public meeting after the outstanding legal questions are resolved.

Most important facts: Beals described how a specialty crew laser-cut concrete and trimmed embedded steel so the bed caps could be lowered to the correct elevation and allow the bridge work to resume. She said the correction did not cause a “significant delay” at the time and that Great River’s insurer covered the cost. The settlement before the commission was a release acknowledging insurer payment and waiving further claims for that error; county counsel approved the agreement.

Commissioners asked about timing and next steps. Beals said the county is pursuing resolution of a related legal matter before signing a change order that would let the contractor resume full construction. She said a public meeting will be held with Great River and other involved parties once the outstanding issue is “in the clear and settled.” On timing she said, “So right now, we're looking at if we are able to get this, settled soon, we're looking at late November right now.”

Commissioners also expressed concern about contractor availability while work is paused. Beals said the contractor has checked in regularly and that county staff worry the contractor might commit to a larger job and be unable to finish the Green Bridal project, though she said that had not happened yet.

How the commission acted: A motion to approve the settlement agreement was made, seconded and the commission voted to approve it. The chair indicated signatures would be collected immediately after the vote.

Background and next steps: Beals said the county will continue to pursue the separate “issue number 2” through legal channels; only once that matter is resolved will the county sign the contractor’s change order and schedule a public meeting explaining the pause and the fixes. The county did not provide a final completion date beyond the working estimate of late November if the outstanding legal matter is resolved promptly.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue legal work and public outreach; staff said they will arrange the public meeting once legal restrictions are lifted so the parties can explain the causes and remedies to residents.