Weld County seeks $16 million federal grant to replace aging County Road 7 bridge

Denise Staley, Public Works project manager, asked the Weld County Board of County Commissioners to authorize submission of a Federal Highway Administration Bridge Investment Program application to fully replace bridge 3417A on County Road 7, a structure Staley said was built in 1960 and is listed in poor condition.

"The project cost is about $20 million," Staley said, "and this grant request would be for about $16 million, or roughly 80 percent, with Weld County matching the remaining 20 percent." The board voted to authorize submission of the application.

Why it matters: county public-works staff said the replacement would address long-standing structural concerns at a crossing roughly one-third of a mile east of County Road 17 and would relieve operational risk and maintenance expense associated with the older structure. Commissioners praised staff for pursuing federal funds to offset local costs.

What happened next: Commissioner Ross moved and Commissioner Pepler seconded the motion to approve the application; the motion carried on voice vote. Public Works will submit the Bridge Investment Program application and return to the board for subsequent approvals if the grant is awarded.

Background: Staley told the board the structure dates to 1960; the presentation noted the bridge is catalogued as being in poor condition and that replacement — rather than rehabilitation — is the proposed scope for this grant request.