Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bridges Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County engineer reports Bridge 307 progress; Bridge 107 lead test and quarry rock prices raise costs
Summary
Winneshiek County Engineer Michael reported progress on Bridge 307 (piers, stem and cap complete, abutment work ahead), said Bridge 107 tested positive for lead requiring tarping and a revised quote, and warned quarry rock prices have increased due to higher gas costs.
Winneshiek County Engineer Michael updated the board on May 20 on road and bridge work across the county, saying Bridge 307 is taking shape and contractors will next work on abutments while other resurfacing and patching operations continue.
"The east and west pier footing stem and cap have all been constructed," Michael said, and crews will move to abutments and related work in the coming weeks. W40 pipe installation is complete, he added, and 350th Street concrete patching and rock resurfacing work are ongoing in several districts.
Michael also told supervisors he had been notified that rock prices from the quarry have increased "due to gas prices," a cost change not yet reflected in the written report.
The engineer reported a separate concern for Bridge 107: testing of the superstructure for lead came back positive. "Bridge planners will send an updated quote to account for the tarping on the abutments," Michael said; a new quote arrived that morning and was under review.
The report included personnel and equipment notes: three blade operators will attend motor grader training, summer engineering interns will begin later as schedules permit, and the county is evaluating mulching heads and other roadside equipment before purchase.
Why it matters: Progress on Bridge 307 and ongoing patching indicate active capital work on county infrastructure; the positive lead test on Bridge 107 may increase remediation costs and require additional protective work. The rock price increase points to inflationary pressures on construction budgets.
Next steps: Staff will review updated contractor quotes that include tarping costs for Bridge 107 and adjust procurement planning to account for increased rock prices and equipment needs.
