The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a $1,999,459.50 construction contract with Bent LLC to replace the Mill Creek Road bridge near 70th Avenue between Olmsville and Turner.

Ryan Crother, Marion County Public Works capital projects manager, said the existing 1930-built structure is "nearing the end of its useful life" and the project received an award through the Local Bridge Program, a federal grant administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Crother told commissioners the low bid from Bent LLC is $1,999,459.50; the federal grant will cover an estimated $1,794,115 and the county contribution is about $205,344 (approximately 10.27 percent of the project cost).

The scope includes replacing the bridge to applicable standards and realigning 70th Avenue to improve vehicle turning movements. Contract documents set a substantial completion target of May 30, 2026; county staff noted an earlier date listed in the agenda appeared to be an error and clarified the contract language instead of a calendar expiration date.

Commissioner Cameron moved to approve the contract as stated in the contract documents; a second was received and the board approved the measure by voice vote.

Crother said construction will include a re-opening milestone for Mill Creek Road and the contract language references the completion schedule included in the project specifications. No further conditions or amendments were added during the meeting.