County authorizes indefinite closure of County Bridge G17M1 amid costly replacement options

Winnebago County authorized the indefinite closure of County Bridge G17M1 after a bridge inspector recommended removal or permanent closure and roads staff described the cost and operational impacts.

Secondary roads staff (Secondary roads staff (S6)) told the board that the bridge is a five‑span wood structure on 440th Street west of 130th Avenue, presently posted for 3 tons and that the estimated cost for a like‑for‑like replacement is about $400,000. Staff said typical daily traffic is very low (about 10 vehicles per day) and that a detour would add roughly a mile each way (about 2 miles total). An alternative discussed was rerouting the road to shorten the needed span; staff estimated a road‑reroute budget estimate roughly $200,000–$250,000 in contracted work, but noted right‑of‑way purchases and grading could increase costs.

Board members discussed the tradeoffs between the one‑time cost of building a new roadway (and avoiding an ongoing structure maintenance burden) versus the high cost of replacing the long, deep structure. Roads staff said permanent barricades and signage will be installed on both sides and that the closure will be reported to mapping/route services so GPS will reflect the closure. The resolution authorizes closure; staff said the closure will remain in place until a replacement or other solution is authorized by the board.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote, and staff said they would order fresh “bridge out” signage and erect permanent posts to reduce risk of barricades blowing down.