Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Culvert Replacement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Steele County approves single-arch culvert and accepts low bid for Ridley Township project
Summary
The Steele County Board of Commissioners approved Alternative No. 2 (single larger arch culvert) for the Ridley Township (Goldberg) crossing and voted to accept the low bid for that alternative, with the township sharing cost over two years.
The Steele County Board of Commissioners voted to approve Alternative No. 2 — installing a single, larger arch culvert — for the Ridley Township (Goldberg) culvert replacement and accepted the low contractor bid for that alternative.
The board’s decision followed a presentation from a county presenter, who outlined three options: a low-water crossing with multiple round culverts, a single larger arch pipe (the board’s chosen alternative), and a double line of larger arch pipe. "Our original recommendation was the double line of culverts," the Presenter said, noting that the double option provides more capacity but costs substantially more. The Presenter also said the single-arch option would increase low-flow area compared with the oval culvert currently in place and described supplier lead times for arch pipe that could push work into late summer.
The board debated maintenance and overtopping trade-offs and discussed financing. Speaker 7 moved to approve Alternative No. 2 with the township’s cash share paid half this year and half next year; the motion included a township rebate arrangement after two years. The board then moved to accept the low contractor bid for Alternative No. 2 (the low quote for the arch option was reported in the packet at about $53,500). After a vocal vote with one stated abstention, the motion carried.
Why it matters: the crossing serves local traffic and has shown signs of deterioration; the chosen option balances increased capacity with lower immediate cost than the double-arch alternative. County staff cautioned that arch-pipe delivery times vary and could affect construction timing.
Board next steps and follow-up: staff will finalize the contractor award paperwork, confirm the material delivery schedule with the supplier, and notify Ridley Township of the approved cost-share schedule. The Presenter said material lead times could range from two weeks to six weeks or longer, so the county will update the board when a firm start date is known.
Vote and procurement notes: the motion to approve Alternative No. 2 and accept the low bid carried; the precise roll-call names were not read aloud in full in the record provided, and some board members registered their votes vocally. The county will include the formal signed procurement documents in the file.
