City Council hears update on Eagle Ridge Trail Project


The Pedestrian Bridge Project on Cotton Wood Trail is well underway. The single-span pedestrian bridge connects the northern, central, and eastern portions of Humboldt and Dakota City to the city’s southwest side without having to walk along or cross Highway 169. Independent photo. Image taken in Dec. of last year. Independent photo.

By KYLIE PORZ
HUMBOLDT - The Humboldt City Council gathered for their regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 3 to hear updates on various projects.

During his report, City Administrator Cole Bockelmann updated the council on the Eagle Ridge Nature Trail project. According to Bockelmann, the project is progressing nicely with plans to pour concrete on Tuesday. The city will also be requesting bids for bank stabilization along the trail project for banks that were washed out during the flooding in June.

Later in the meeting, the board passed Resolution No. 2025-18 which reads, “A resolution approving pay estimate No. 2 with Dixon construction of Correctionville, Iowa for the Eagle Ridge Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Project in the amount of $94,830.11.”

Civil Engineer Joey Whitehouse was present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding the various projects being discussed.

Whitehouse said, “This pay app, you know, and what our payoff shows is that they're 27% done. They're definitely way more than that. It's just kind of how the bid items shake out when you're doing a project like this. All we're paying for here is another 25% of mobilization and for the pier on the project.”

“So. there's one little bid item devoted to the pier cap, which goes on top and holds the bridge up. It includes the abutment. It includes basically everything within that bridge item. And they weren't quite done with the pre-bored holes in the piles yet, so we didn't pay for them yet this month.”

“So again, they've done a lot more work than what it looks like as far as the monetary amount goes. We just haven't been comfortable paying for anything yet. But that's just how the bid items shake out on the project. So, no concerns with anything.”

Mayor Scholl asked if Dixon Construction would be responsible for the development of the trails in the area too or if the company would just be responsible for the bridge alone.

Whitehouse explained that Dixon Construction is primarily focused on the pedestrian bridge while Cole Anderson has been responsible for most of the dirt moving and will focus on the trails.

Mayor Scholl then inquired about the estimated date for the completion of the project.

Whitehouse said, “I imagine this thing's open mid-year. I mean, don't, don't hold me on that. That's a guess on my timeline, and they have plenty of days past that. So, the contract would end in the fall, but they got a much better start. There's been progress this winter. It just kind of all depends on when they can get it prepped. Because, like I said, multiple subcontractors still have to get in there, so my guess is the bridge will be delivered in a month-ish, they'll be ready to put it (the ribbon cutting) on likely then. But before then, they still have to do all the forming and the abutments. Yeah, all that work too. So, there's plenty of things to do, but there's plenty of time. It's the start of February, and they haven't stopped working. And by this point, they won't really stop working unless they have to wait for product.”

Mayor Scholl said, “I think it’s going to be an attractive amenity for the city of Humboldt.”

Read the full story in this week's issue of the Humboldt Independent!

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