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Henry County road supervisor says summer bridge work avoids new engineering, saving about $16,000
Summary
Road and Bridge Supervisor Dennis Bowers told the Henry County Commission that plans for summer bridge replacements in Bogard Township already include engineering, avoiding a separate engineering contract and yielding an estimated $16,000 savings; commissioners also discussed a nearby culvert that may need replacement but likely lacks township funding.
Dennis Bowers, Henry County road and bridge supervisor, told the Henry County Commission on June 23 that plans for bridges to be built this summer in Bogard Township were already engineered, meaning the county can avoid a separate engineering contract. "They do not have to engineer the bridges due to the plans having been already engineered. The savings with that is roughly $16,000," Bowers said.
The disclosure came during Bowers’s weekly department update, when he also flagged a problem with a culvert on Northwest 100 and Davis and Honey Creek townships. Bowers said the culvert likely needs to be removed and replaced, but he questioned whether Honey Creek Township would be willing to expend funds for the work and noted the culvert’s location complicates repair options.
Why it matters: the change reduces near-term project costs for planned bridge work while leaving unresolved a localized drainage problem that affects township roads. Commissioners discussed options and asked staff to confirm responsibilities and cost-sharing with the townships involved.
County officials also reviewed other routine road maintenance items in the update, including roadside blading and responses to resident complaints about truck parking and muddy shoulders. Commissioners and staff agreed to follow up with township officials to determine whether rock placement, additional signage or phased repairs are appropriate for specific roads.
What’s next: staff will continue coordination with Great River Engineering and township officials on the bridge and culvert issues and report back to the commission with clarified scopes and any recommended cost-sharing arrangements.
