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Walsh County moves ahead on bridge and culvert projects; hires KLJ for design and accepts construction contracts
Summary
The commission authorized KLJ as construction engineering consultant on a bridge project and approved related contracts, discussed multiple culvert and bridge failures, and outlined plans to use box culverts and state grant opportunities as short-term fixes and longer-term replacements.
The Walsh County Commission authorized hiring KLJ as construction engineering consultant for a bridge project and approved related construction contracts May 20, and the county’s highway staff updated the board on a string of culvert collapses, frost-boil road failures and targeted repairs.
Highway staff described a recent incident at the Dibble Drain Bridge where farm equipment struck and damaged the bridge; staff estimated at least $12,000 in damage and said the water board and county are pursuing replacement with a culvert in cooperation with local drainage authorities. Staff also reported a collapsed culvert at Fairdale on County Road 870 (a roughly 50‑year-old culvert), and multiple frost‑boil sites and soft spots across county roads that are producing safety and maintenance concerns.
Highway staff asked commissioners to authorize KLJ (the firm that developed the design) to provide construction engineering services for the digital bridge project (project ID v r j 00061). Commissioners voted to move forward, and staff presented contracts from Industrial Builders for signature. The board approved the motion by roll call.
Staff described options for addressing failing minor bridges: where feasible, replace timber or deteriorated spans with precast box culverts to restore traffic on formerly posted roads; staff said they are evaluating which box culverts are candidates and whether storage/purchase is prudent. The county reported a recent $50,000 temporary fix on a bridge that removed a weight restriction after state inspectors reassessed the structure.
Road crews also reported accelerated pothole, mill-and-overlay and chip-seal work: staff completed 14 miles of mill/overlay work in recent weeks and planned chip sealing in June and early July. Crews are testing subbase stabilization products and are considering installing drain tile in problem locations where moisture undermines the road base.
Staff warned drivers to slow near work zones and noted that new state penalties for speeding in work zones increase enforcement risk. Commissioners asked staff to continue tracking repair costs, to pursue state grant opportunities (including bridge and flex funds), and to return with funding options for major replacements.
No specific long-term project funding was approved at the meeting beyond the construction-engineering authorization; staff said larger replacement projects will rely on a mix of state bridge funds, flex grants and county resources.
