Codington County Highway Update: Cottonwood Street Bridge Closed, Watertown Road Projects Advance

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County Highway Superintendent Randy Falvey delivered his monthly report Tuesday, outlining significant progress on the county’s highway shop remodel, updates on seasonal road work, and concerns over repeated attempts by drivers to bypass barricades at the closed Cottonwood Street bridge.

Highway Shop Remodel Nearing Completion

Falvey said the county’s major building remodel is in its final stretch, with most structural and insulation work completed.

“The main portion of that has been completed by Basin as far as the siding inside and out, insulation of the majority of the building and whatnot,” Falvey said.

Recent improvements include:

·         Installation of heating and plumbing in the truck storage area

·         Water service added to improve winter vehicle maintenance

·         Gutters installed just before recent rainfall

·         New insulation blown over the office’s concrete roof section

Electrical work remains the final hurdle.

“The electricians are currently waiting on some electrical components,” Falvey said. “One should be here this week… another one is sitting in customs.”

He estimated completion in the first or second week of October, depending on delivery.

Commissioner Randy Schweer praised the remodel:

“I drove by that building and got out and looked at it… it looks phenomenal. It looks a lot better than it used to.”

Falvey agreed:

“It’ll be nice once it’s completed.”

Cottonwood Street Bridge: Permanent Closure After Multiple Breaches

Falvey reported that the county has now installed permanent closure structures at the Cottonwood Street bridge, which was shut down earlier this year due to structural deterioration.

Despite signage and barricades, drivers have repeatedly attempted to cross the unsafe bridge.

“We did have somebody move the barricades and drive across that bridge,” Falvey said. “That bridge was closed down for a reason. Nobody should be going across.”

He said additional signage has been placed on County Road 81 (County Road 11) and approaches from the west.

“The other night we just had another attempt for somebody to try and go through the permanent structure,” Falvey said. “We’re going to make some effort to try and catch these individuals.”

Chip Sealing Completed; Striping Coming in October

Falvey said the county has finished chip sealing for the season and completed the first sweep of affected roads.

A second sweep will occur in the first week of October, followed by striping.

He cautioned drivers:

“Even though the chip is off the road, gravel is not an issue. There are still no stripes on the road. So everybody needs to be cautious.”

Oak Street Bridge Easements Moving Forward

Falvey received easement paperwork from Banner Associates for the Oak Street bridge, which is scheduled for replacement.

“I will be making contact with those individuals to get that easement paperwork signed,” he said. “We are going to be applying for funding for that this fall.”

Resurfacing Continues on County Roads 7 and 10

Work continues on the bypass route between I‑29 and Highway 212, including:

·         169th Street (County Road 7)

·         460th Avenue (County Road 10)

Dunick Construction is performing a two‑inch mill and overlay.

“That’s going to be ongoing for the rest of this month,” Falvey said. “First or second week of October we should be striping that.”

He issued a public reminder:

“There will be temporary closures. The road will still be open to pass, but please be cautious.”

Commissioners Approve Three Joint Powers Agreements for Bridge Projects

Following Falvey’s report, commissioners approved three separate joint powers and funding agreements with the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Bridge 15‑154‑080 — 162nd Street (Township Road)

Falvey said the bridge ranks high due to damage, qualifying for 100% funding.

“This is just a request to sign this document agreeing that we will accept funding for it.”

Commissioners approved unanimously.

Bridge 15‑190‑099 — County Road 11‑3 (Old Highway 81)

This bridge is critical for Northern Con‑Agg traffic. The county will pay 50% of the hydraulic study cost, totaling $29,600, to improve its BIG scoring.

“This moves us up on the potential of getting funding for it,” Falvey said.

Approved unanimously.

Bridge 15‑190‑111 — County Road 11

The county will again pay 50%, totaling $26,400, to advance engineering work.

“It does not qualify high enough on the status to get funding,” Falvey said. “So we want to go forward with the engineering study.”

Approved unanimously.