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Granite County approves $30,000 to pursue bridge grant and engineering for South Main/Clark Fork crossing
Summary
The Granite County commission voted to spend $30,000 from PILT funds to hire Great West Engineering to prepare a preliminary engineering report and MSAP grant application to match potential congressional directed spending for a South Main/Clark Fork River bridge replacement.
Granite County commissioners on March 17 authorized spending $30,000 from the county's PILT account to hire Great West Engineering to prepare a preliminary engineering report (PER) and an MSAP grant application to pursue federal congressional‑directed spending (CDS) for a South Main Street/Clark Fork River bridge replacement.
The commission discussed project priorities and funding pathways before taking the vote. County staff told commissioners the CDS application requires a local match; staff described pursuing MSAP (formerly TSEP) funds — which can provide up to $750,000 toward bridge replacement — and other off‑system MDT programs to make up the balance if federal funds are awarded. The engineering fee is intended to ensure the county has a completed PER to support multiple grant opportunities.
Public commenter Becky Beard, who has experience as a grant writer, urged commissioners to explore planning‑grant funds the state Department of Commerce makes available to help pay for PER completion. Elena Gagliano asked for clarity on where the $30,000 would come from; the chair confirmed the motion specified PILT funds.
After public comment, a commissioner moved to authorize Great West to prepare the MSAP application and PER for $30,000 with funding from PILT; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps: county staff will finalize the task order with Great West, submit the MSAP application before the May deadline noted in the presentation, and continue to pursue additional matching sources as needed. Commissioners said they will monitor other state bridge funding programs (including House bill allocations) and coordinate with their legislative contacts on potential support.
The commission did not guarantee receipt of CDS or MSAP awards; the $30,000 payment funds preparation of grant materials and engineering that would be useful for future grant cycles whether or not this round of federal funding materializes.
