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Engineers, commissioners discuss Spear, Lovell and Coal Creek bridges; state shifts funding to Spear
Summary
Daniels County engineers reviewed scour risk, design options (aluminum box culverts vs. full replacement) and funding timelines for Spear, Lovell and Coal Creek bridges; county staff reported state approval to switch a replacement allocation to the Spear bridge and outlined a preliminary design/bid timeline into 2026.
Interstate Engineering presented options to address scour on county bridges and discussed whether an aluminum box culvert or full bridge replacement is appropriate based on drainage, scour criticality and span. The consultant said a full‑invert aluminum box can reduce scour risk and is often cheaper than a full bridge when spans permit.
"With that bottom in there, they are considerably cheaper than a bridal, obviously," the engineer said when comparing a full‑invert box culvert to a traditional bridge structure. County staff reported an email from state staff confirming a funding switch: MDT agreed to replace Bridal 2615 (Spear) under the state's program instead of a previously listed structure, and engineers estimated a design schedule beginning in early 2025 with potential construction in 2026 if funding and schedules hold. Commissioners discussed preliminary design phases, potential use of culverts, and local options for phased designs if state funds are limited.
