The importance of roads and bridges becomes clear very quickly when they are not available.
Bridge 5881, on McLeod County Road 84, which crosses the Crow River just south of Lester Prairie in Bergen Township, has been closed since Dec. 7.
The county owns it, but says it doesn’t have the money to replace it, and wants to turn the bridge over to the township.
The township needs the bridge, but doesn’t want to take ownership because it can’t afford to maintain it.
Township and county officials and township residents discussed the bridge situation last January.
More than 20 residents were present at the meeting and some expressed frustration at the bridge closing and said replacement of the bridge is an urgent matter.
The residents provided a copy of a petition signed by nearly 70 local residents asking the county to replace the bridge as soon as possible.
The residents also provided a copy of a letter from Lester Prairie Fire Chief Jim Hoof, expressing concerns about public safety while the bridge is closed.
Hoof stated that 175th Street and 165th Street are not good alternatives, because they are gravel roads, which are often slippery and snow-packed in winter, and soft in the spring. They are also narrower than Babcock Avenue, and can be treacherous for emergency personnel, according to Hoof.
Both the letter and the petition were forwarded to the county board.
No decisions were made during the meeting, but some of the options for replacing the bridge were clarified.
McLeod County Engineer John Brunkhorst said it will cost $480,000 to replace the bridge.
This includes $20,000 for removal of the existing bridge, $380,000 for construction of the new bridge, $40,000 for approach grading, and $40,000 for engineering.
Brunkhorst said potential funding sources include:
• county funds (this project is not in the county’s plan until 2009);
• state bridge bonding funds (would only cover the $380,000 bridge construction portion, and no funds are currently available. This would have to be approved during the 2008 legislative session, and is not guaranteed);
• township bridge funds (would cover all but $20,000, and funds are currently available, but only if the bridge is turned over to the township.
Brunkhorst said federal funds are not an option because of the time element.
Brunkhorst indicated that the only sure way to get the bridge replaced this year is if the township takes it over.
“I am 99 percent certain it can be replaced in 2008 if the township takes it over. Completion in 2009 is not guaranteed if it stays a county bridge,” Brunkhorst said.
“There is a slim possibility that it could be done in 2008 if state bridge bonding funds become available, but there is no guarantee,” Bayerl said.
Residents asked about the possibility of reopening the bridge to light traffic until funds become available.
Brunkhorst initially said reopening the bridge would require an inspection by a structural engineer, which would cost $5,000 to $10,000.
“I don’t think that’s feasible. Some residents still wouldn’t use it. I don’t see us opening it back up,” Brunkhorst said.
It was noted that reopening the bridge with a lower weight rating still would not resolve the public safety concerns, because fire equipment would not be able to use the bridge, and county plow trucks would not be able to maintain it.
Brunkhorst suggested that the township could take back County Road 84 and County Road 74, and presented a list of options that the county might consider offering to compensate the township for taking over the roads.
The primary objection voiced by township residents during the meeting was a concern that the township could not afford to maintain the road, and does not have the staff or equipment to do so.
“The soonest we could act on this is at our annual meeting in March,” Township Supervisor Francis Burch said.
