Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rapidan Dam, Highway 9 bridge: county outlines bridge design, FEMA coordination and dam‑removal work
Summary
Blue Earth County staff reported on bridge removal progress, design work for a replacement bridge, FEMA damage quantification, and separate engineering work estimating dam‑removal costs. Staff said bridge design and river hydraulics work are under way, and that FEMA and Barr Engineering will produce separate cost estimates for repair and removal.
Blue Earth County staff provided an extensive update on the Rapidan Dam area and the Highway 9 bridge project on March 11, saying the bridge removal contractor is working on pier removal while county consultants and federal agencies continue to quantify damages and scope repair and removal options.
Staff reported that the bridge contractor used explosive charges and cable saws to sever and remove portions of the demolished bridge and that crews were rubbleizing and hauling debris. Weekly bridge design check-in meetings are in place; TKDA is serving as the bridge design lead and Barr Engineering is under contract to develop river and dam removal estimates and a river restoration design.
Staff said preliminary cost estimates for bridge replacement are coming in above Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) emergency relief funding limits. Bridge design work has focused on alternatives and foundations; staff said the valley erosion has increased the required bridge height and deeper foundations are needed to guard against scour. TKDA prepared roughly 10 alignment options and staff anticipate a workshop and an alignment memorandum in April.
On the dam and river matters, staff described two parallel estimation processes: FEMA is quantifying damages and developing a scope and cost to return certain areas to pre‑event conditions (the county characterized FEMA’s eligible area as contiguous from the Britton Road right-of-way through the county park), while Barr is preparing a separate engineering estimate and river profile for a dam removal and full river restoration. Staff said FEMA’s quantification is nearing completion and that county staff have asked to involve Barr in reviewing FEMA’s scope so the county receives realistic quantities and durable repair assumptions.
Staff cautioned the board that the schedule and sequencing are uncertain: they cannot assume the dam will be removed before the bridge replacement given current funding and permitting complexity (permits, FERC surrender process, cultural‑resource clearances and potential Corps of Engineers coordination). Staff said the board should expect a multi‑year program of work and that more detailed cost and schedule information will follow when Barr and other consultants finish their work. Staff also noted the county provided FEMA with drone inspection footage and Tanner Gate inspection data to show incremental damage since 2019.
Commissioners asked about FEMA’s role and timing; staff said FEMA is developing its own quantities and that Barr will coordinate with FEMA and validate numbers as the county moves toward scoping and funding discussions. Staff emphasized the complexity of permitting, potential funding gaps and the need to coordinate among MnDOT, FHWA, FEMA, FERC and other agencies.
No formal board decisions were taken beyond accepting the informational update; staff said further presentations will return to the board when additional design and cost data are available.
