County certifies final payments on two Knife River paving contracts and approves Buckman Township bridge engineering agreement

Public Works Director Tony Hennen reported Oct. 21 that two major paving contracts with Knife River Corporation were completed and recommended for final certification. Contract 319 (County Roads 202 and 203) certified work at about $1.8 million (98.41% of contract value); Contract 320 (County Roads 1114, 237, 238 and 245) certified at about $3,471,665.49 (96.84% of contract value). The board approved final certification and final payment for both contracts by recorded roll call.

Hennen also presented and the board approved a joint engineering agreement with Buckman Township to design a box‑culvert replacement for Township Bridge L292893 (Fortieth Ave over Little Rock Creek). The agreement will allow county engineering to perform hydraulics and design work for the township structure that reached eligibility for township bridge funding following routine structure inspections.

Hennen reviewed the 2025 construction program — more than $10 million in work across the county, 28.25 miles of pavement added, more than 81,000 tons of hot mix asphalt placed — bridge replacements, box-circuit installations and maintenance work. He summarized routine maintenance tasks, winter preparedness (plow routes, brine production) and public-safety outreach (school visits and snow-plow safety presentations).