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Cass County approves $1.091 million budget adjustment and hires KLJ for County 31 bridge design
Summary
The commission authorized a $1,091,000 budget adjustment and contract with KLJ Engineering to design a replacement for the County 31 bridge closed last summer because of accelerated movement; soil testing results in June–July will determine whether the replacement can remain on the existing alignment or require an alternative alignment.
The Cass County Commission approved a budget adjustment of $1,091,000 and authorized the chair to sign contracts with KLJ Engineering LLC to provide primary design and engineering for the County 31 bridge replacement. Commissioner Flacco moved the motion, Commissioner Capitan seconded, and the motion passed in a roll call vote with all commissioners voting yes.
County staff explained the bridge was closed last summer after county engineers recorded accelerated bridge movement. Preliminary design and soil testing are underway; staff reported all soil meters are in the ground and readings are expected in the June–July timeframe. If testing shows the existing alignment can be used with appropriate engineering measures, the design cost and schedule could be reduced; if not, alternatives must be evaluated and may require longer evaluation periods.
County engineering staff estimated a June 2026 bid date and completion by late 2027 if the team can design on the existing alignment and proceed without extended delays. The $1.091 million contract covers design work for both the existing alignment and proposed alternatives; staff said some of the cost could be reduced if tests permit staying on the existing alignment.
Commissioners asked whether single-span options or longer approaches had been analyzed; staff said single-span solutions would require significant road profile changes and additional right-of-way or approach length and were not straightforward.
Ending: The commission asked engineering staff to report findings at the July budget review so those results can inform the 2026 budget decisions and possible construction timing.
