Commission approves $600,181.80 BRJ bid from Midwest Contracting; Minto bridge repairs reviewed

County highway staff reported that the BRJ project for a hanging-bridge replacement was bid at $600,181.80 by Midwest Contracting LLC and recommended acceptance of that bid and signature on the resolution. Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution and approved it on a roll-call vote recorded in the transcript.

Staff also presented the Minto bridge inspection findings, describing leaning pilings and a split piling on the north side. Engineers and highway staff discussed interim repairs — banding, replacing caps (12x12 or 14x14), and removing deck material — and noted communications lines attached to the structure would need removal. Some repair options would require winter heating for frozen ground or waiting until spring; staff said they would pursue contractor pricing and evaluate whether county crews could perform some work.

Next steps: Highway staff to gather cost estimates and fabrication options for banding or cap replacement, coordinate with utility owners to remove communications lines, and return with pricing and schedule (likely in January). The BRJ project will proceed under the accepted bid and schedule.