City engineer outlines schedule, temporary-bridge plan for NDOT South Bridges project

City engineer Rick Bogus updated the Columbus City Council on the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s South Bridges project on Nov. 17, saying contractors are using favorable weather to complete concrete pours for footings and stem walls and to drive piles for upcoming work.

“So the contractor is taking advantage of the weather, obviously, so they're doing all the lot of concrete pours they can,” Bogus said, describing work now focused on piers, stem walls and preparations for winter, including restriping and the placement of vertical panels.

Bogus clarified that the narrow bridge residents see now is a temporary construction bridge used for access during work and that it will be removed when the permanent bridge opens. He said the new structure is not due to open until 2027 and that the temporary bridge removal will follow once it is no longer needed.

When asked about public concern over ice jams and pilings on the temporary structure, Bogus said the contractor maintains an emergency action plan “for ice and snow and debris removal on that temporary bridge,” and that the contractor has equipment and cameras in place to monitor and clear buildups.

Bogus also stressed the contractor’s financial incentive to keep the temporary access clear: “that temporary bridge and all the equipment sent on it is worth millions of dollars to them,” so they will monitor it closely.

The update answered several council questions but did not include a firm date for removal of the temporary bridge, which Bogus said depends on construction progress and access needs.

The council received the report with no formal vote required and moved on to other agenda business.