Bids For Installation Of Trail Bridges Come In Higher Than Expected


Sections of the pedestrian bridge that will cross Keg Creek in Glenwood.

Bids came in higher than expected for the placement of two pedestrian bridges acquired for a proposed trail system in Glenwood.

A bridge over Keg Creek would link the trailhead at the site of the former Glenwood Native American Earth Lodge with the Glenwood Community School District Athletic Complex, while the second bridge will replace an existing structure that crosses Fallon’s Creek near the horseshoe pits at Glenwood Lake Park.

Two sealed bids for the project were opened at last Tuesday’s Glenwood City Council meeting - $588,573.50 from Minturn, Inc. and $417,073.14 from TAB Construction.

At the suggestion of Glenwood Mayor Ron Kohn, the city council tabled taking action on the matter until hearing from the Mills County Trails board.

“We don’t want to spend their money,” Kohn said.

Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan said Mills County Trails Board members are expected to discuss the bids before the city council meets again on March 14.

“They will be meeting again before the next council meeting to discuss their options since it did come in over the estimation,” she said. “They’re looking at the bids and then they’re going to make some decisions, I think.”

The 165-foot bridge that will cross Keg Creek was purchased by the Mills County Trail Board in 2020 from an Omaha recycling firm. The bridge had previously served as a pedestrian walkway over the Keystone Trail in Omaha near College of St. Mary and the Ak-Sar-Ben Village development, but was replaced by a newer structure.  With some minimal restoration, the bridge is expected to have 40 or 50 more years of life. The bridge over Fallon’s Creek will replace an existing structure. The unique structure will be made from a flatbed railroad car donated by Union Pacific Railroad.

Engineering consultant John Jorgensen from HGM Associates said the project will include the building of abutments, assembly and bridge placement.
 

The Opinion-Tribune

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