Madera County highlights bridge award, seeks $20 million for SR 41 right-of-way acquisitions

County public works officials on Tuesday highlighted an award for a recently completed bridge project and briefed supervisors on a wave of federally funded bridge work while the Board authorized raising the county’s acquisition limit for the State Route 41 South Expressway to $20 million to cover property purchases, appraisals and related entitlements. The board approved the SR 41 resolution by a 5-0 vote.

Jared, a county public works representative, said the county received a Local Streets and Roads award for the Avenue 205 bridge replacement project and described it as a team effort. The project used Highway Bridge Program federal funds for an approximately $4,500,000 replacement that removed a structurally deficient 343-foot, 16-span reinforced concrete bridge and replaced it with a 320-foot, nine-span concrete slab bridge. Jared said the department also has been accepted into the Highway Bridge Program for 15 projects valued at about $44,000,000 over coming years.

Dominic Tyburski, director of Madera County Public Works, told the board an agreement to increase preliminary engineering compensation was necessary because environmental studies required by federal and state permitting uncovered additional work. He described environmental and biological studies, and agency engagements as key to keeping funding secure. When asked about the roughly $574,000 increase for environmental compliance on an Avenue 16.5 bridge replacement, Tyburski said additional studies were identified and the scope expanded accordingly.

On the State Route 41 South Expressway project, Tyburski asked the board to authorize acquisition of rights of way and related entitlements and to give the public works director authority to execute documents and approve budget expenditures. The board had previously authorized a $12,000,000 cap but staff reported initial appraisals exceeded that amount. The board voted to raise the limit to $20,000,000 to allow negotiations, relocation payments and third-party appraisals.

Supervisors acknowledged the costs of permitting and environmental compliance. One supervisor characterized some of the environmental work as a “check mark” process required to preserve eligibility for state and federal funds; public works staff agreed such studies are often required by state and federal agencies and are needed to keep funding secure.

The county also noted that Avenue 18.5, near the East Side Bypass Canal, remains closed due to storm damage and is prioritized for replacement under the new federal programming.

The board approved the SR 41 resolution with a roll call vote of five in favor and none opposed; staff said the change allows public works to move forward with negotiations and right-of-way acquisitions immediately.