Peru bridge replacement has Army Corps permit but stalls over utility poles and landowner easements

Peru town officials reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for the proposed Telegraph Road bridge replacement, but the project cannot proceed while two private property owners decline to provide easements and utility access needed to relocate power poles.

Engineers told the Town Board the replacement structure’s size — determined by hydraulic and environmental studies — requires cranes that must operate from private parcels adjacent to the right of way. Utility companies advised that current standards could require new poles, guide anchors and permanent relocation rather than temporary moves. Officials said undergrounding was not feasible given access and depth limitations.

Board members said staff has contacted utility providers including NISC and CMS engineers to explore temporary pole moves, but the providers indicated the work could entail permanent pole and anchor installations on the private parcels. Town staff said they have hand-delivered notices to the affected landowners and will attempt additional outreach to negotiate an easement or purchase a small parcel to allow crane staging.

The board discussed potential legal options. A member noted that acquiring an easement or pursuing eminent-domain procedures could take a substantial amount of time; the transcript records officials stating the process "can be a couple of years." The board directed staff to research legal authority, costs and alternatives and to follow up with the landowners and the contractor to determine possible crane staging plans.

Town officials said the delay affects the project schedule but not the Corps permit; no new funding decisions or formal votes on eminent-domain actions were taken at the meeting. The board will return to the issue in a future work session once staff reports on legal options and updated contractor plans.