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Commissioners approve $19,946 amendment to Blankenship Bridge engineering contract after lengthy permitting delay
Summary
The board approved a $19,946 amendment to KLJ Engineering’s owner‑engineer agreement for the Blankenship Bridge erosion control project to close out final engineering work. Commissioners and staff used the vote to voice frustration about multi‑agency environmental permitting costs and delays.
Flathead County commissioners approved a $19,946 contract amendment on June 3 to finish engineering services for the Blankenship Bridge erosion control project, concluding a multi‑year permitting and construction effort.
County staff recommended the amendment to cover KLJ Engineering's additional time required to shepherd the project through agency permitting and inspection. Commissioner and staff speakers said the permitting process added more than a year of delay and roughly $80,000 in environmental permitting amendments across related contracts; the contractor’s amendment will close out KLJ’s role.
Commissioners praised the final construction result and said the structure appeared to be performing during the recent high‑water season. One commissioner characterized the permitting process as increasingly onerous and urged state and federal partners to consider streamlining permitting for routine erosion‑control projects; county staff stressed they had followed all required environmental rules.
Outcome: The board approved the KLJ Engineering amendment, allowing final invoices and project closeout to proceed.
