Milwaukee Bridge project moving toward 2026 construction; commissioners debate temporary fixes

Eastern Plains Economic Development Council representatives told Prairie County commissioners the Milwaukee Bridge replacement project is advancing with engineering, funding and contracting through Great West Engineering and MDOT, and that the county needs to complete paperwork and temporary access agreements to keep the 2026 schedule. Tara Berman and Teresa Olsen of EPDC provided the update and a checklist of county actions.

Residents raised immediate safety concerns about the bridge’s temporary deck. Speakers described a narrow gap that can damage truck and trailer tires and urged a short‑term repair: "If we could fill in that gap and the gap of the 2x4… put a wider one on the other side," a resident said. Commissioners and staff discussed installing a 2x4 as a temporary measure versus ordering a wider plank; staff noted larger planks would be more costly and must be sourced from distant suppliers. One timeline item in the meeting record lists project completion by fall 2026.

Road Supervisor Todd Henry reviewed MDOT bridge reports and confirmed the project will require coordination of temporary access agreements and ramp transitions at private approaches. EPDC and county staff identified four immediate county tasks: sign highway design standards, provide a short concurrence statement that the project is ready to advertise, and execute a temporary access agreement and related documentation with landowners. Commission members agreed to continue coordination and to pursue potential state reimbursement for bridge work where eligible.