Daniels County to apply for state bridge grant, board approves consultant engagement

Daniels County commissioners on May 18 authorized staff to apply for Montana's Bridge Replacement Grant for a potential Spear Bridge project and agreed to retain an engineering consultant to prepare the application.

An agency official who presented the opportunity summarized the program: "It is an opportunity up to $3,000,000 per per community. And there is a 20% match," the official said, adding that applications opened the prior Thursday and the submission window was short (applications to be accepted May 20 through close of business that Friday).

The official recommended replacing the Spear Bridge with an aluminum box culvert in some locations, a change he said would better match opening size and could be considerably cheaper than constructing a full-span structure. Commissioners discussed alternatives including slab crossings for low-traffic locations.

Commissioner (S3) moved to engage John Brock with Interstate Energy Engineering to prepare and submit the county's application; Commissioner (S2) seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote. The county staff estimated consultant time and application preparation at about $1,000, described in the meeting as a likely upper-end estimate.

Why it matters: If awarded, the grant could finance major repairs or replacement of county bridges but would obligate Daniels County to provide a 20% local match and follow the grant's schedule. County staff said they would notify commissioners immediately if a hard-copy signature were required; otherwise the application appears to be electronic.

Next steps: Public Works will work with the consultant to submit the application by the stated deadline and prepare a local-match plan if the grant advances to the award stage.