Engineers report beams set, bridge now expected late October after pile issues

County engineer Paul updated the Griggs County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 21 that crews had set the bridge beams but encountered issues with a leaning pile that required bracing and repositioning.

Paul said crews "got the beam set last week" and explained that after stripping forms and removing temporary bracing the pile pulled back and needed wedging and additional bracing so the beams would fit the opening. He told the board the deck must be poured and cured before cables are removed and the structure cleared for traffic.

Paul said the contractor's original completion target was Oct. 1 but now projects completion at the end of October after an additional 14 days of pile work, a slip that could produce liquidated-damages exposure. "As long as it's being done right, that's all that matters," one commissioner said during the update, emphasizing quality over speed.

Commissioners discussed load-capacity expectations and noted the rebuilt span is being designed to modern standards for farm and semi traffic. The board asked staff to track schedule updates and damages calculations and to report back once the contractor submits a formal time-extension request.