Posted: 10/23/07
CSAH 20 bridge work underway, repair work still $400,000/week
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
Union Township residents living in or near Sullivan Creek Valley had a welcomed sight last week. The rebuilding project of the CSAH 20 bridge over Thompson Creek got underway.
The Houston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the low bid to rebuild the bridge submitted by Minowa Construction of Harmony during the Oct. 16 meeting. According to county Highway Engineer Marcus Evans, Minowa was ready to start before the end of the week.
The county received three bids for the rebuilding project. The high bid was submitted by Lunde Construction for $499,835.85. A bid submitted by Brennan Construction was for $451,559.55. The low bid from Minowa was for $449,644.10.
"Minowa officials said they would work with the county to get this bridge done ASAP," Evans said. "They will be installing a work bridge that will be open for local traffic only. If the general public abuses it, they will shut it down. We will have signs in place letting people know the road is closed to through traffic. But Iím sure the local residents will appreciate the work bridge and wonít abuse it."
A portion of the north approach of the one-lane bridge was swept away during the flash floods, causing persons living in the Sullivan Creek Valley area to drive nearly 20 miles out of their way to get to Hokah, La Crescent or La Crosse.
Persons have been able to walk over the bridge. Many people who commute to La Crescent or La Crosse park a car on one side of the bridge, walk across and have another vehicle on the other side.
Soil boring reports good
Evans informed the board the soil borings conducted on the 22.5 acres of land on the west edge of Caledonia where the county may relocate the county highway department indicate the land is suitable for the project.
He added because it took longer than anticipated to have the soil borings completed, they will not be able to have the other issues taken care of before the Nov. 9 deadline on the conditional purchase agreement. He asked if the county staff could contact the property owner and negotiate for additional time. The county board approved Evansí request.
Infrastructure repairs spendy
Evans told the board the $11.1 million estimate on total damages to the countyís infrastructure resulting from the August flash floods might be a little high. He was quick to add, however, the highway department is still spending about $400,000 per week repairing washed out shoulders, replacing guard rails, removing debris in ditches, and clearing out culverts and bridges.
"The contractors we have been utilizing during the past two months have been very good to work with," Evans said. "Things are starting to shape up. We should be ready for winter."
Caledonia Argus
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