Unsafe bridge closes

• Bridge closed

Brian Korthals/Daily Globe The bridge over the Kanaranzi Creek on Nobles County 11 south of 320th Street has been closed due to a rotting support beam. The bridge had restricted weight limits placed on it, which were disregarded.

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — A bridge closure near Ellsworth and concerns regarding ownership of a bridge over a judicial ditch north of Worthington dominated the discussion at Tuesday morning’s Nobles County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Nobles County Public Works Director Stephen Schnieder said the county took action to close the bridge on County State Aid Highway 11, about a mile northeast of Ellsworth, after it was discovered the bridge had shifted about two to three inches and was beginning to tilt.

“The bridge is starting to tip, and the beams underneath are completely rotted through,” said Schnieder.

The bridge had been posted down to 10-ton capacity, but he said fully loaded semis had disregarded the posting and continued to travel over it.

“When they do that, it deteriorates the bridge faster and forces us to close the bridge,” Schnieder said. “This is for the safety of everybody because we can’t keep the trucks off this posted bridge.”

Schnieder offered commissioners a couple of different options regarding the bridge’s replacement. They could either seek bids yet this fall, or wait until after Aug. 15, 2010, to replace the bridge because of the presence of the Topeka Shiner in the Kanaranzi Creek that flows under it.

Moving forward with the project this fall would likely mean paying a premium for the materials, cautioned Schnieder. Also, the county has already spent all of its 2009 state-aid funding, and would need to borrow about $400,000 from its 2010 account to pay for the project. Waiting until next year could result in collecting some bonding money to help pay for the bridge.

“Right now, there’s no bonding money from the state,” said Schnieder. “We will have to pay 100 percent of the costs. With the legislature, we could have a chance for bonding money to pay for 50 percent of the cost (in 2010). It could save the county a quarter of a million dollars by the time it’s done.”

“Do we feel the structure is that critical that we have to replace it this fall?” he asked commissioners.

After some discussion about the detour route, which will add about 3 miles for residents living on the north side of the bridge if they want to get to Ellsworth, commissioners decided to wait with the bridge’s replacement until late summer 2010.

In another matter, the board discussed concerns about an eroding slope underneath Judicial Ditch No. 8 in Elk Township. Past discussion between the township and the city has focused on ownership of the bridge and who is responsible for maintenance, according to Commissioner Marv Zylstra.

Elk Township Clerk Beverly Gravenhof said the township board has maintained that it has no authority to work in the judicial ditch. At the same time, something needs to be done to protect the slope under the bridge before it causes damage to the bridge.

Gravenhof said the township was first notified in 2004 that riprap needed to be placed under the bridge to protect the slope.

“We don’t have equipment, we aren’t allowed to work under the bridge,” Gravenhof said. She said the township board believes the cost of the repairs should be shared by the people who are benefitting from the ditch system.

“I, in no way, want to give the impression that the township agrees that the bridge is owned by the township,” she added. “The township is concerned that what needs to be done to the bridge should be done to the bridge before we have a disaster. We want some sort of agreement to see that the work is done properly.”

Schnieder told the board, “First of all it is (the township’s) bridge, so they are responsible. Second of all, they do have the authority to go under the bridge and work in there. It’s not whether they can; it’s whether they want to.”

Commissioners decided to look into the ownership issue further, and consult with the county attorney on the matter before any action is taken.

Installation of riprap would cost an estimated $1,500 to $2,000, according to Schnieder.

In other business, the board:

l Approved the relocation of tile lines for Judicial Ditch 8 due to the reconstruction of Minnesota 60 at Nobles County 6, south of Worthington. Schnieder said the relocation of tile lines is necessary because the county road will be reconstructed to a 90-degree access to the highway in 2010, and the new route goes directly over the existing tile line.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will fund the relocation of approximately 300 feet of tile line, using better quality concrete or dual-wall plastic — products that have more longevity than what is currently in the ground.

l Approved a request to replace a full-time jailer position in the Prairie Justice Center jail, and to hire a temporary jailer to take the place of an employee that received notice of deployment for active military duty.

l Approved a request to fill a vacant financial worker position in the Nobles County Family Services department.

l Approved the fourth-quarter appropriation of $7,135 to RSVP.

l Approved the closure of County State Aid Highway 21 in Round Lake from 3 to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 for the town’s newly organized Winterfest celebration and parade of fish houses.

l Approved a request to install glass at the public window for the Nobles-Rock Community Health Services department. The recent construction project included installation of a lower window for handicap-accessibility, but now there are safety concerns with children climbing over the counter and into the NRCHS office. Commissioners approved the installation of ½-inch thick glass, at a cost of approximately $700. Space will be provided between the window and the countertop for papers to pass through.

l Discussed, but took no action, on a fee increase for passports obtained through the county recorder’s office. The department is now required to send all passport applications through a traceable delivery service. County Recorder Lynn Wilson said she could mail each day’s applications in one priority mail envelope at a cost of $5.65, and recommended that the county absorb the added mailing costs and reevaluate the situation in January.

l Set a special meeting for Monday to further discuss the county’s options for a new radio system for law enforcement.

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