The Saline County Commission has approved a bid of $825,548.62 from King Construction for the replacement of the Water Well Road Bridge. The decision was made during the September 17, 2024 commission meeting.
County Engineer Justin Mader presented the project details to the commissioners. The existing bridge, located about a quarter-mile east of Gypsum Valley Road, is a seven-span steel beam structure with a narrow roadway and deteriorating deck. It is currently weight-posted and prone to debris accumulation.
The new design will feature a three-span reinforced concrete slab bridge with a 32-foot roadway to accommodate large agricultural equipment. The improved span configuration is intended to allow for better debris passage.
Mader explained that the project will eliminate the last bridge weight limit on Water Well Road between Dickinson County and Saline County. The contractor plans to begin construction within one month of the signed contract, with an estimated construction timeframe of 6 to 7 months.
Three bids were received for the project, with King Construction submitting the lowest bid. The project will be funded from the county's Special Bridge Construction account, which currently has an unencumbered balance of $1,587,350.97.
Commissioners inquired about the project timeline and its potential impact on harvest season. Mader indicated that while the completion date in the contract is set for the end of next year, the actual work is expected to be finished earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the bid from King Construction for the Water Well Road Bridge replacement project.
