Missoula County approves $21,000 engineering agreement to pursue repairs to Sunset Hill Bridge
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Summary
The board approved a $21,000 professional services agreement with DJ&A for design and oversight of a repair to Sunset Hill Bridge after MDT ordered the bridge closed for safety; staff estimated the contractor repair at about $40,000 and noted MDT must inspect and approve reopening.
Missoula County commissioners approved a professional services agreement with DJ&A to design and provide engineering oversight for repairs to the Sunset Hill Bridge after the Montana Department of Transportation instructed the county to close the structure for safety reasons.
County staff (recorded in the meeting as Eric) said MDT inspectors measured increased vertical deformation over multiple inspections and ordered the bridge closed to vehicular traffic. Staff recommended a flame-straightening repair method used on similar structures and asked DJ&A to design and oversee the work.
The agreement approved by the board covers engineering fees estimated at $21,000. Staff estimated the contractor flame-straightening work at about $40,000; that construction would be negotiated under a separate agreement. Eric said reopening the bridge requires MDT district inspectors to review and approve the completed repairs.
One commissioner said they had a potential conflict and recused themselves from the vote. The board approved the DJ&A professional services agreement by voice vote; the transcript records members saying "Aye" but does not include a roll-call tally.
