Caledonia Argus

County awards bid for bridge project

Posted: 4/9/02

Winter is over, and that means the road construction canít be far behind.

The county board learned at its meeting of April 2 that the bid opening for the Highway 16 project has been delayed by one month. County engineer Allen Henke told the board that the opening is now set for April 22.

The project includes grading, resurfacing and replacing four bridges between Hokah and Highway 26. The estimated cost is $13.9 million, and the project is expected to run from Spring 2002 to September, 2003. Traffic will be routed to County 7 and Highway 26.

The Hokah Township bridge project over Thompson Creek in Butterfield Valley was awarded to Minowa Construction for $305,196. The bid was less than the engineerís estimate of $388,864.

Henke also informed the board that the Mound Prairie bridge deck is ready to be poured. The project is slightly ahead of schedule.

There is no word yet on when road bans will be lifted, said Henke. In previous years, the lifting of the bans was based on the calendar. Now, it is based on the weather conditions.

Oral health educator hired for public health

The board has approved hiring an oral health educator for the public health department.

Darla Zahn has been hired for the grant-funded position. Her job will consist of promoting oral health and hygiene through the public health department. The position is a replacement of another health educator position, but with focus on oral health.

In other business, the county board agreed to cancel its meeting of April 9 and meet instead on the fifth Tuesday, April 30.

Top of Page