Dunn County staff schedule public meetings and warn of possible local costs for Cedar Falls bridge work
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Summary
Highway staff told the Dunn County Highway Committee that the Cedar Falls bridge is in a preliminary design stage with consultant estimates of $6 million–$10 million; the county will hold public information meetings and may face an additional $600,000–$1,000,000 local cost if the design requires shifting intersections rather than installing cul‑de‑sacs.
Highway staff reported to the Dunn County Highway Committee that two local bridge projects are moving toward public outreach and engineering study, and that one design choice could raise local costs significantly.
"We hired SCH consultants to complete the application and estimate," said Highway Department staff (S2), noting the Cedar Falls bridge application and cost estimate are due at the end of October. "We're looking at 6,000,000 to 10,000,000." Staff said that, if funded, replacement would likely occur in the later portion of the program and that they do not expect the bridge to be replaced before about 2031.
The committee heard that the Cedar Falls design would shift the bridge roughly 25 feet and intersect with two nearby town roads. Under the DOT budgeted approach, the county could construct cul‑de‑sacs on the two intersecting town roads (a lower‑cost option). Staff warned that shifting the intersections instead — which would require significant rock excavation and additional right‑of‑way — could add an estimated $600,000 to $1,000,000 in local costs.
Highway staff (S2) said the Sand Creek bridge has been posted to 20‑ton limits following inspection and is already in the replacement program. A public information meeting for Sand Creek will be held November 5; a separate public meeting related to the County Road D structure will be held November 6 at the Tainter Town Hall so residents and adjoining landowners can offer input.
Committee members asked about enforcement of weight limits and monitoring. Staff said sheriff and state patrol will make periodic enforcement patrols and issue fines if necessary; staff explored camera options but said enforcement from cameras was not feasible and earlier attempts at cameras had resulted in vandalism or theft.
The committee did not approve construction funding at the meeting; staff said public input and future committee discussion will determine whether to pursue the more expensive alignment or the cul‑de‑sac approach. The county also plans to pursue state and federal funding programs and will present updated cost estimates when consultant work is complete.