HURON – As they accepted $364,440 in initial state Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) funds, to proceed with what will be a years-long effort to rehabilitate and replace structures dating to the 1920s and 1930s, county commissioners on Tuesday also heard details of 2017 inspections of 43 bridges in the eastern third of the county.
Adam Polley and Steve Myer of Clark Engineering in Sioux Falls presented their findings, as well as recommendations on bridges they found to range from poor to good condition.
The engineering company is proposing the replacement of 23 bridges as well as specific ways to repair other bridges. They are also recommending changes in load limits to extend the life of certain bridges.
Of the 43 bridges that were inspected this year, Clark Engineering found 35 percent, or 15 of them, to be in good condition. Sixteen percent, or seven of them, are in fair condition and 49 percent, or 21 bridges, are rated to be in poor condition.
Bridges inspected are located on county asphalt and gravel roads and gravel township roads. Three are on minimum maintenance roads.
Twenty-one of the bridges fit the criteria to be eligible for replacement grant funds.
The average cost to replace the 23 bridges in their report is $615,765, Polley and Myer said. To replace all 23 of the bridges the engineers have identified as fitting in that category it will cost $14,162,600.

BIG funds are being awarded to counties on an 80-20 percent basis.
Of the 21 bridges eligible for grant funds in Beadle County, 19 are rated poor and two are rated fair.
In their presentation, the engineers laid out a series of steps the commission should take in developing a system-wide management plan.
They are proposing that the county prioritize all of its structures into either rehabilitation or replacement categories. That should lead to the development of cost estimates for projects and then a schedule for the work to be done.
As they apply for grant funding for eligible structures, commissioners should consider whether bridge closures are an option.
The engineers are also proposing identifying and group repairs by type, prioritizing repair types and drafting of cost estimates for repairs. Finally, that work should be scheduled.
Commissioners said they have closed one bridge and will be changing load limits on others as they hope to extend their useful life.
Meanwhile, commissioners hired Taylor Jans to fill the newly consolidated position of veterans service officer and emergency management director.
Commissioners decided to combine the two offices after Emergency Management Director Zach Nelson and Veterans Service Officer Michael Lueck resigned earlier this year.
Tom Moeding, who had served as emergency management director prior to his retirement a year ago, filled in on an interim basis in that office.
Jans will start his new duties next Monday.
Commissioners approved an agreement with Faulk County to house Beadle County inmates in that new jail in the event of a problem at the Regional Correction Center in Huron.
The cost to house Beadle County inmates in Faulkton will be $85 per day.
As the county board of adjustment, commissioners approved a variance request filed by Denny and Kathy Mead for a plat of Mead Outlots 1,2 and 3 where lots one and two are not the minimum five acres as required by ordinance.