Work on Bergen Township bridge starts this week

Reopening of the former County Road 84 (now Babcock Avenue) bridge south of Lester Prairie might occur sooner than expected.

McLeod County Highway Engineer John Brunkhorst announced last month that construction would not take place during the winter because it would cost between $50,000 and $100,000 for overtime and heating of the concrete deck, to help it set in frigid weather.

However, the construction firm Duininck Bros. of Prinsburg is keen to work through the winter, with the goal of finishing the bridge in February, and will do so for its original bid of $750,718. Crews was slated to start yesterday (Sept. 18), weather permitting.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)