Merrick County board says weekend bridge failure will force One- & Six-Year Plan amendment

Chairwoman Carolyn Kucera and the Merrick County Board of Supervisors opened their July 28 meeting by addressing an urgent local infrastructure problem: a county bridge that 'went out' on the prior Saturday, prompting a road closure. Highway Superintendent Kunze told the board the affected structure is located just north of O Road on 7th Road, roughly three-quarters of a mile south of Archer Zion Church, and said the One- & Six-Year Plan will need to be amended to respond to the damage.

The board moved to accelerate procurement steps tied to replacement. Bids opened July 27 for Structure #C006100102 (replacement with a culvert) under two special plans: Special Plan No. 1 (a concrete tub culvert, CMP, 50‑year design life) and Special Plan No. 2 (a concrete box culvert/RCBC, 100‑year design life). Engineer's estimates were $187,400 for Plan 1 and $209,415 for Plan 2. Bids ranged from Diamond Engineering Co. to M.E. Collings; the board accepted (moved Weller, second Dexter) the low bid for Special Plan 2 from Van Kirk Brothers for $171,325.60 (Roll Call: All Ayes).

The meeting record shows Supervisor Placke also reported an email from Andy Forney of DA Davidson indicating the firm is ready to 'lock in rates' for bond financing 'to not exceed the $3.8 million project fund.' The board did not take a separate bond authorization during the July 28 meeting; the finance step was noted as preparatory to funding capital work tied to county projects.

What happens next: Highway staff said they will amend the One- & Six-Year Plan and proceed with contracting for the Structure #C006100102 replacement under the accepted plan. The motion to accept Van Kirk Brothers' Plan 2 bid passed on a voice/roll-call vote recorded as 'All Ayes'.