Road & Bridge details multiple projects, flags wetland mitigation and multi-year timelines

Dan, representing Valley County Road & Bridge, gave a consolidated update on a slate of capital projects, scheduling and procurement status.

Warren Wagon guardrail: Dan said the LTAC-administered safety project has a selected consultant and a negotiated contract; surveying is expected to start and federal funds were made available after multiple deaths in the corridor. He said the county hopes to use a fixed-price variable-quantity approach with a contractor-paid price per linear foot to maximize coverage under the awarded funds.

East Lake Fork Road: Dan said this project will encroach on wetlands and the county anticipates purchasing credits from a wetlands bank that is under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "We would pay," he said when asked whether credits would come from county funds, and added that the total cost and number of credits are not yet determined. Staff said the project timeline points to construction in 2028, with necessary permitting and mitigation work to be completed well before that date.

Abseam/Abstein bridge: The county postponed a planned bid opening to allow legal review of contract language; Dan said lead time to order bridge components is substantial (about eight to nine months) so construction is unlikely until next year. He described the existing steel truss as one of the oldest bridges and said the county plans to retain it as a crossing for connectivity and to minimize utility relocations.

Local bridge program (state-funded "little b"): Dan said a re-advertised package covering one bridge rehabilitation and two culvert inserts has bids due later in the week and staff expects to report back when bids are opened.

Other items: Dan summarized a FEMA-funded West Mountain mitigation kickoff, LTAC administration for a Lakeshore pavement and culvert project transitioning from a city-managed Western Federal Lands effort, a right-of-way boundary issue on Skidoo (Herrick Lane area) that staff intends to resolve with property owners and legal counsel, and developer-led improvements on Spink Lane where Idaho Power identified utility locations during a site meeting. He also reported on summit and seasonal closures (Deadwood and Elk Creek updates), an anticipated pavement-recycling method using cement additives for preservation, and continuing outreach on a possible stormwater resolution.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about wetlands credits, procurement timing and license/contract language for future bids. Staff noted several items are contingent on external approvals (wetlands bank, Corps review, federal or state funding) and that costs for mitigation credits or specialized materials were not yet finalized.