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Council approves engineering amendment for Third Street Bridge after inspection found bearing and spalling issues
Summary
Staff briefed the council on recent inspection findings at Pier 3 of the Third Street Bridge; engineering amendment was approved unanimously to design repairs including bearing replacement and temporary lifting/shoring options.
The Minot City Council unanimously approved an engineering-contract amendment to address deteriorating concrete and bearing issues discovered at Pier 3 of the Third Street Bridge.
Lance, the city engineering representative, presented inspection photos showing expanded spalling around a bearing and explained the structural implications: water and salt infiltration through deck joints has compromised the bearing pad and grout under the bearing. "Because of the way that this bridge is is built and sloped, all the water that's running off the bridge ... is finding the joint that's right above this bearing," Lance said. "...This grout pad that's underneath it is now beginning to be compromised."
Staff outlined two construction approaches: a lower-cost dead-load lift that would allow the contractor to jack the bridge at the affected girder line and close northbound traffic while allowing southbound traffic to continue; and a higher-cost live-load cribbing system that would allow both directions to remain open but requires a contractor-designed shoring system.
Lance said the dead-load option would likely close the northbound lanes for about six to eight weeks, and the overall project duration would be about three months. He said the scope includes replacing the bearing and repairing the spalled concrete to extend the bridge—s service life several years while the city develops a long-term replacement plan.
Why it matters: The inspection raised safety and longevity concerns for a major river crossing; repair work is intended to maintain the structure while longer-term options are evaluated in the context of planned flood-control work.
What happens next: The engineering amendment funds detailed design for the selected repair approach and allows staff to solicit construction bids. Council approved the amendment unanimously.
Budget and traffic notes: Staff said the dead-load approach is the lower-cost option but requires a longer single-direction closure; the live-load option increases contractor cost but preserves two-way traffic during the work. Emergency services and dispatch will be coordinated for any detours during construction.
