CLEAR LAKE — Clear Lake’s City Council last night approved an agreement between the city and Cerro Gordo County to replace a bridge on 275th Street over Willow Creek on the northern edge of the community’s corporate city limits.
The county owns the bridge but was not eligible for federal funding through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s “City Bridge Funding Program”, but the city was eligible, and a so-called “border bridge” project also met eligibility requirements. The DOT approved up to $1.5 million for the project, and the cost of the project is estimated to be below the maximum funding level.
City Engineer Matt Steding says with the city applying for and getting the grant, the county will also be chipping in as well. “The City Bridge Program is administered on a reimbursement basis. All costs must be paid up front and then reimbursed through the Iowa DOT upon receipt of this request. The county has agreed to cover all upfront costs for this project and the City of Clear Lake, myself specifically, will help with several aspects of the administrative portion of the project.”
Councilman Bennett Smith says he’s pleased the city and county could partner on the project. “I just want to thank you and the county for working with us on this and working together on that, because I think this is a great project, get this replaced. I really appreciate the way this is structured and the Iowa DOT again with the funding, that’s just a win-win-win I think. I appreciate the county’s involvement and yours as well.”
The council approved the agreement unanimously.
