Codington County reports progress on 14th Avenue bridge; 175th Street to close briefly for wing-wall work

Codington County highway superintendent Randy Falvey told the Board of Commissioners on March 17 that work on the 14th Avenue bridge is progressing well and that winter weather has so far had limited impact on the project. “Grand Guard Construction is still continuing ahead of schedule on the 14th Avenue bridge. They’ve already got a good portion of the framing set up to pour the deck,” Falvey said.

The superintendent reported that crews were dispatched only twice during recent storms and that motor graders were used once, which saved fuel and reduced equipment wear. Falvey said the highway shop has continued crack sealing as weather permits.

Falvey also summarized equipment updates: the county received a new pickup (awaiting a plow), converted an older trailer into a sign trailer to improve flood response logistics, and received a skid-steer trailer. He said the county is evaluating purchasing a new screener, likely shared with city street departments, to recycle reclaimed blacktop and road millings; such a purchase would require a memorandum of understanding with partners.

The board heard that Holloway Construction of Mitchell will lift the deck and replace the east-side wing wall on the bridge just west of County Road 9 (458th Avenue). Falvey said the closure of 175th Street (the City Hall Road to the landfill) should take “approximately five days,” and that alternate access to the landfill will remain available during the work.

A commissioner asked about the project timeline; staff indicated the tentative completion remains July and that the bridge company’s owner had offered a site tour for commissioners and staff as work progresses.

The report concluded with a reminder that the highway shop is preparing equipment and staff for spring operations and potential flooding, and that the county will continue coordinating with townships about road maintenance concerns.