Ray County signs contract for W 84th Street bridge replacement, authorizes W 216th studies

Ray County Commissioners approved a bridge replacement contract and authorized additional studies for county bridges during meetings Feb. 18–19, 2026.

Representatives from Great River Engineering presented a scope of services for a full replacement of the W 84th Street Bridge at Bruns with an estimated project cost of about $650,000 and said the project could take about a year or more depending on availability of a construction crew. Commissioners approved and signed the contract. The company also described progress on the Myers Bridge final design, noting comments received from Union Pacific Railroad.

Commissioners additionally approved a $1,500 proposal from Great River Engineering for a preliminary hydraulic analysis on the W 216th Street Bridge and voted to request a BEAP study for Structure Option No. 2 for that location. All motions were made by Commissioner Max Hockemeier, seconded by Commissioner Bobby Don Davis, and recorded as carried 3-0.

The minutes show the approvals and study authorizations; they do not include contract terms, funding sources, or a construction timeline beyond an approximate project duration. County staff and engineers will need to finalize schedules, funding and any federal or state permit steps.