Story County engineer reports bridge projects, an immediate bridge closure and a planned shop expansion

County Engineer Darren (last name not specified in the meeting) briefed the Story County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 about the office's quarterly work plan, including bridge projects, an immediate bridge closure after routine inspection, multi‑jurisdictional traffic planning discussions, drainage district work and a proposed expansion of the county's main highway shop.

Darren said winter maintenance has been light so far and that overtime and salt budgets are below average. On construction projects, he reported the Maxwell bridge project was let with a low bid of $514,000 — well under earlier estimates — and that landowners around the project had been notified about detours and access changes.

Darren said the Skunk River bridge project has been delayed while environmental approvals are completed; contractors cannot begin in the project area until water temperatures reach 40 degrees because certified personnel must relocate mussels from the work zone. He said the county has engaged a firm with the necessary DNR certification for mussel relocation.

The engineer reported biannual bridge inspections are under way and that one three‑span bridge on 150th Street (about 2 miles south of McCallsburg) was closed immediately after inspectors observed movement in a pile foundation and other signs of structural failure. He said the county is evaluating whether underwater repairs are possible or whether replacement will be required, and that the closure has so far affected minimal traffic (one household was noted as using the bridge).

Darren told the board the county is managing local maintenance obligations on recently completed DOT projects, and that a preconstruction agreement with DOT remains to be finalized for the 580 interchange work. He also described a preliminary multi‑party discussion about a proposed roundabout at a Lincoln Highway intersection brought forward by the City of Ames; early, rough estimates were described as in the low‑millions and Story County staff said they may be asked to consider a contribution — the county's possible share was described as roughly $250,000 in preliminary, non‑binding discussion — and that the undertaking would likely be several years away.

On local roads, Jasper County has requested a change in classification for a narrow, rutted stretch of 700th/730th Avenue; the county engineer said a "level C" designation with a gate could be appropriate if all adjacent landowners sign a petition. Maple Avenue in Fernald has been placed on the calendar for a road‑vacation hearing on Feb. 4, the engineer said.

Darren also reported on a drainage district boring project where the county paid the initial invoices for work inside the road right‑of‑way and that contractor connections are delayed. Finally, the engineer said the county plans architecture and design work on a main shop expansion at the Nevada facility and estimated the project would be on the order of about $1 million; the expansion would create an indoor wash bay and additional equipment storage.

Darren noted the retirement of design engineer Brian Moore (retired Jan. 3) and said the office is actively recruiting for a technician and an engineer.

Why this matters: the bridge closure poses immediate mobility and potential replacement cost issues; environmental restrictions affect construction timing on river projects; and the proposed shop expansion and multi‑party roadway discussions will affect long‑range capital planning and county budgets. The board did not take formal action on these items at the Jan. 14 meeting beyond receiving the report and setting or noting future steps (hearing dates, continuing coordination with DOT and partner jurisdictions).