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Valley County engineer reports Good Pit crushing contract, outlines multiple bridge and road projects
Summary
County public works engineer Dan Kibbs told commissioners the county has an executed crushing contract for the Good Pit and outlined several bridge and road projects now moving toward advertising, design or funding review, including Deadwood Reservoir, Smiths Ferry and Banks Intersection work.
Valley County Public Works Engineer Dan Kibbs told the Board of Commissioners Feb. 24 that the county has a fully executed crushing contract for the Good Pit and that several road and bridge projects are advancing through design, permitting and funding review.
Kibbs said the crushing contract is in place and the county has authorization to advertise the work. “I just, wanted to give you guys kind of a update in terms of what's going on. Mostly in the designs part of the realm, but I did wanna give you an update that we we do have a fully executed crushing contract now for the goody goody pit good pit,” he said.
The update covered multiple programs and projects the county is pursuing. Kibbs described a local bridge program (referred to in the meeting as the “little b” program) that targets structure repairs using state funds. He said the county submitted applications for three structures: two failing culverts planned to be lined and one bridge rehabilitation. One application was for the Deadwood Reservoir bridge and another for Smiths Ferry; Kibbs said Smiths Ferry will likely need full replacement because the roadway width and railing are “functionally obsolete.” He said the Little B program is state-funded and does not require a local match, and that administration would be handled by LTAC if projects are successful.
Kibbs also reported that the county is close to advertising another project (described as the “little b” bridge work) and that permits are being confirmed for the Good Pit advertisement and upcoming bid opening expected in the next few weeks.
On pavement assessment, Kibbs said he is pursuing a consultant contract to run ground-penetrating evaluation on the West Roseberry/West Mountain corridor to identify failing subbase and base materials. He described the technique as one used by other jurisdictions to decide whether routes need overlays or full reconstruction.
Regarding the Lakeshore (Western Federal Lands) project, Kibbs said he plans to request that LTAC administer the work rather than Western Federal Lands, citing past communication challenges between the county and Western Federal Lands. He said both Western and LTAC would have to agree and that LTAC administration could add administrative costs to the project.
Kibbs said the East Lake Fork Road project remains on hold pending the results of a wetlands-banking prospectus; wetlands credits will determine how the county proceeds and whether scope adjustments are required.
For the LSIP Warren Wagon guardrail project, LTAC requested a short list of consultants and Kibbs has submitted that list and is awaiting the next steps to solicit proposals and select a consultant.
Kibbs told the board Parametrics (represented in prior work by Cody Janssen) was selected to work on the Banks intersection improvements; anticipated elements include bridge widening, turn lanes and a signal. He said a temporary signal that ITD was supposed to provide last summer had not been installed to test the concept, a detail the county will watch as design continues.
Kibbs and other participants also discussed a separate project keeping the Rainbow Bridge and building a new crossing to the north with a projected five-year completion window, and commissioners expressed concern about the potential for extended highway shutdowns and impacts on local businesses if large construction windows are required. One commissioner said the county should prepare public notice once project timing is firm so businesses and residents can plan.
Kibbs concluded by noting he will attend a county engineer conference in Chicago in April and expects presentations on unpaved-surface techniques that may be relevant to county work.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of meeting minutes for Feb. 18, 2025: Motion to approve minutes with corrections was moved and seconded and carried (aye). See Actions below for detail. - Approval of meeting dates for April–June 2025: Motion to approve dates was moved, seconded and carried (aye). See Actions below for detail.
The board recessed for lunch at the end of the session and planned to reconvene at 1 p.m.
