10-07-2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP BRIDGE, County En.qineer authorized to prepare plans and solicit bids; will brinq back to committee after bids are received Mr. Berndt said in 2001, a 118-foot wooden bridge between Sections 10 and 15 of Pleasant Township, which crosses the Wild Rice River, was destroyed by fire. Three other bridges in this vicinity have been replaced over the years at a cost of between $525,000 to $1.2 million. The county has funding commitments of $150,000 from the adjacent landowner's insurance company and a private contribution. This bridge was on a Iow volume township road parallel and one mile north of County Highway 18. Typically, this bridge would be a likely candidate for permanent closure with its Iow use and availability of alternate routes; however, there are extenuating circumstances to consider: the private contributions; the bridge was in poor condition and would have required some county funds to repair it; the bridge historically provides access during floods and a relatively Iow cost replacement bridge could be designed for this location using steel beams currently on inventory. Mr. Wieland said traffic will increase if this bridge is repaired. He suggested the county create a policy to handle situations like this, and if a person is willing to contribute a certain percentage toward repair costs, the county could consider repairing the bridge. Mr. Berndt said he will bring this item back to the committee with bid figures and he will draft a policy to bring back for discussion at the same time. MOTION, passed Mrs. Sorum moved and Mr. Rust seconded to authorize the County Engineer to proceed with preparation of plans and solicitation of bids; and to bring bid figures back to the committee before any final decision is made. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. HIGHWAY 17 SPEED LIMITS Mr. Berndt said the Cass 17 Corridor Study will be discussed at the Commission meeting today. He asked the Committee if their concern was people exceeding the posted 55 mph limit or if they felt the 55 mph limit was too high even if complied with. He is concerned that lowering the speed limit will not solve the traffic and safety issues on County Highway 17 between West Fargo and Horace. Mrs. $orum was concerned that if the speed limit is lowered, this may create more accidents due to more passing. Mr. Wagner is more concerned with safety of pedestrians walking or riding along the road and wants to see these people use some sort of a path or walkway. Mr. Bemdt felt the road was appropriately signed with the 55 mph speed limit. However, if the committee felt strongly that the speed limit should be lowered, he would suggest lowering a 4-mile section from the Sheyenne River to 1-94 from 55 mph to 50 mph. Mr. Wieland has spoken with residents along this road and those that live north of County Road 6 would like to see the speed limit changed and he suggested 45 mph for those north of County Road 6 and leave the speed limit at 55 mph on the stretch south of County Road 6. He said this road is along an urban area, which was considered rural in the past. Mr. Berndt said adding other features to change the character of the road such as curbs may influence drivers to slow down. However, he does not want to act too hastily by lowering the speed limit and thinking this will solve the problems along County Road 17. ADJOURNMENT MOTION, passed On motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Rust and all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 2:15 PM. Minutes prepared by Heather Worden, Administrative Secretary