Daniels County approves Cold Creek pay request and shifts bridge priority to busier span

The Daniels County Board of County Commissioners approved payment request No. 2 for the Cold Creek bridge contract and voted to ask state off‑system bridge managers to reprioritize county funding toward bridge No. 2615, saying it carries more traffic and offers a safer detour if closed.

Commissioners moved and seconded to execute the Cold Creek (Cole Creek) Bridge pay request No. 2 and the motion carried with no opposition. The board also discussed which off‑system bridge to prioritize, with one commissioner reporting calls to local contacts and recommending bridge 2615 be moved ahead of 2617 because it is more heavily used by school traffic and local harvest routes.

Why it matters: The decision shifts limited state off‑system funding toward the span the county believes will reduce detours and better serve local traffic patterns. Commissioners said preliminary funding appears available for a higher‑cost replacement and that selecting the busier crossing now will maximize local benefit.

Details: Staff circulated the contract payment request and related correspondence. The board’s discussion referenced cost estimates and project numbers provided in the off‑system bridge packet; commissioners noted that one bridge (2615) was listed at an estimated $1.5 million and 2617 at about $1 million in the off‑system materials. Commissioners agreed to notify the project contact to request priority change for the replacement schedule.

Next steps: County staff will email the off‑system bridge contact to request the priority change to 2615 and will follow up on the contract paperwork for the Cold Creek payment. Any further action will appear on a future agenda if additional approvals or funding authorizations are required.