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Steele County approves bridge change order, disputes Knife River repair proposal and OKs culvert cost-share
Summary
Commissioners approved a change order for the 2017 County Road 23 bridge, rejected responsibility for widespread damage on County Road 23 East and directed staff and the State’s Attorney to notify Knife River to repair or face deductible retainage action; the county also approved a 50/50 culvert cost-share (~$3,300 county share).
Steele County commissioners on Aug. 7 approved a change order for the 2017 County Road 23 bridge project and took steps to address widespread road damage on County Road 23 East that the county says resulted from contractor work.
Mike Bassingthwaite of Interstate Engineering updated the board on County Road 23 West and County Road 5 and presented a change order for the 2017 County Road 23 bridge project. Commissioner Richard Strand moved and Commissioner Ted Johnson seconded a motion to approve the change order; the motion carried unanimously.
Bassingthwaite also relayed a proposal from Knife River to repair as many as 56 damaged areas on County Road 23 East with shared costs. The commission stated it does not accept responsibility for the repairs, attributing the need for work to the quality of Knife River’s workmanship. The board directed Bassingthwaite to work with Steele County States Attorney Charlie Stock to draft a letter giving Knife River a timeline and notice to repair the areas or the county will hire another contractor to complete the work and deduct the costs from contract retainage.
On a separate road-maintenance item, Road Superintendent Reed Oien presented a cost-share proposal for a culvert in Broadlawn Township. The county approved a 50/50 cost-share for the culvert—estimated county share approximately $3,300—on a motion by Commissioner Strand, seconded by Commissioner Johnson.
These actions direct the county engineer and legal counsel to seek contractor remediation where the county alleges substandard work and commit county funds for localized road maintenance projects.
