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Cass County advisory committee advances 2026–2030 highway and bridge plan; Conroe 31 bridge design estimated at $9–10 million
Summary
The Cass County Road Advisory Committee reviewed 2025 completions, approved the 2026–2030 highway and bridge plan, and heard that early design for the County Road 31 bridge shows a roughly 550‑foot replacement with a $9–10 million estimate; the project is on the state's flex semifinal list.
The Cass County Road Advisory Committee on Nov. 17 reviewed its 2025 construction wrap‑up and voted to adopt the proposed 2026–2030 highway and bridge plan.
Kyle, county staff, told the committee most 2025 projects are complete or near completion — including a soft opening on County Road 10, a new shared‑use path and school parking in Tower City and paving on County Road 16 — and said the county is tracking “about that million dollars under what was in the budget.”
The committee also heard an update on the County Road 31 bridge northeast of Harwood, closed since June 13, 2024. Kyle said soil analysis is complete and KLJ’s early design shows a roughly 550‑foot replacement; staff estimated the project at about $9–$10 million. He added the project was placed on the state’s flex semifinal list and that discussions with the state Department of Transportation over funding are expected after the new year. “They’ve said that, yes, we’re going to fund it,” Kyle said, while cautioning the precise state contribution is not yet known.
The committee reviewed the county’s flex‑fund submissions: Kyle said the bridge flex bucket had about $80 million worth of semifinal projects while only $40 million was available, and that County Road 11’s north bridge and a County Road 10 removal made the semifinal list. For county‑road flex funds he said roughly 120 applications sought about $250 million against approximately $45 million available.
Members discussed scheduling implications if some projects shift between flex buckets. Kyle warned that if County Road 4 is funded from a prairie‑dog bucket it would move into 2027 rather than 2026, forcing the county to reassign projects. He said the county expects more clarity around January.
Committee members praised staff for the year’s work but raised questions about geographic balance across the county’s quadrants in later years of the plan. A motion to adopt the 2026–2030 highway and bridge plan was made, seconded and carried by the chair.
The advisory committee carried the motion; the plan and project priorities will proceed through the county’s established approval and funding steps. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
