Supervisors approve grant for walking bridge
While the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved a grant for a walking bridge across the Des Moines River in Humboldt, the bridge over the East Fork east of Humboldt on Highway 3 is being dismantled and will be closed until November. A new bridge will be constructed at the site. during the past week, the bridge decking was removed. Humboldt Independent photo.
By Kent Thompson
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors lent their support for an extension of the Cottonwood Trail in the city of Humboldt, and a pedestrian/bicycle bridge that will connect the south side of the city of Humboldt to the downtown area without having to cross U.S. Highway 169.
Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken and Humboldt County Conservation Director Todd Lee were both in attendance at Monday’s meeting.
The proposed project would construct a single piling walking bridge across the West Fork of the Des Moines River, connecting the existing Cottonwood Trail to the new Eagle Ridge housing subdivision on Humboldt’s south side.
Goedken explained that the grant would be an 80 percent/20 percent match, utilizing Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds through the MIDAS Region Five Council of Governments. The plan is to apply for $800,000 for the $1 million project.
“There is currently $880,000 in their TAP account that has not been utilized,” Goedken said. The Humboldt City Administrator said if awarded, the grant funds would not be available until 2021, giving the city and county three years to set aside their $100,000 each in matching funds. Goedken said the city will apply for the grant by April 13, and should know if the project is awarded within three months.
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