Faribault County Plans Three Bridge Replacements in 2027

Faribault County is signaling potential public-works construction activity for 2027, with three bridge replacements included in its preliminary plans. County Public Works Director and County Engineer April Wellman told the Faribault County Board of Commissioners that one bridge is west of Kiester on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2, while the other two are in Clark and Pilot Grove townships. The update is an early indicator for contractors monitoring county infrastructure needs, but it is not a procurement notice: the county has not disclosed project values, solicitation dates, contract structure, or bid requirements.

The 2027 plans follow an active bridge-construction program. At the board’s October 20 meeting, Wellman reported that work on a CSAH 8 bridge replacement with a box culvert was progressing after weather-related delays. “The box culvert is set, the water is flowing and it is being backfilled,” she said, adding that paving was tentatively planned after the bridge in Kiester Township was paved. The CSAH 8 road was expected to reopen soon, although Wellman cautioned, “I make no guarantees on that.” She also reported that work on a bridge in Pilot Grove Township began October 12, with projects in Delavan and Lura townships scheduled to follow in that order for the remainder of the year.

For construction firms, the three 2027 locations offer a basis for early market research, local subcontractor outreach, and monitoring county board and public-works updates. The source does not establish whether the planned work will be packaged as one or multiple procurements, whether design or engineering services will be solicited separately, or when funding and bid documents may become available. Firms should therefore treat the plans as pipeline intelligence rather than an open opportunity, and confirm project scope, funding, procurement method, and schedule through official county channels before making bid or teaming decisions.

The board also discussed a separate proposed renewal with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA). The proposed one-year agreement would run January 1 through December 31, 2027, and is valued at $96,121, compared with $92,423 for the current year. CEDA Regional Manager Dave Schmidt told commissioners, “The proposed contract for 2027 is $96,121, which is a four percent increase over the current year’s contract of $92,423.” Schmidt said the organization had initially considered a 5.5% increase but reduced the proposed increase to 4%. The renewal remains pending review of the full county budget; it has not been approved or awarded.

The existing arrangement provides four days, or 32 hours, of service each week, staffed by Economic Development Authority specialists Jim Langborg and Danielle Hayter-Johnson for two days each. Commissioners asked about a three-day-per-week option, which Schmidt said would cost more than $80,000. He estimated that a one-day-per-week arrangement would cost around $34,000 and explained that CEDA’s broader network of more than 50 employees provides access to expertise across multiple areas. These figures may help service providers understand the county’s current contracting model, but they do not indicate that the county is seeking competing proposals. The bridge plans and CEDA budget discussion are distinct signals: one points to potential future construction work, while the other concerns a proposed continuation of professional services.

• Three bridge replacements are planned for 2027: one west of Kiester on CSAH 2, and two in Clark and Pilot Grove townships.
• The county has not announced construction values, bid dates, procurement packaging, solicitation documents, or submission deadlines for the 2027 bridge work.
• The 2027 bridge list follows current-year activity, including the CSAH 8 box-culvert replacement and bridge work in Pilot Grove, Delavan, and Lura townships.
• Wet weather delayed the CSAH 8 work; the box culvert was set, water was flowing, and backfilling was underway at the time of the update. Road reopening and paving were tentative.
• The proposed CEDA agreement is $96,121 for January 1–December 31, 2027, a 4% increase from the current-year $92,423 agreement.
• CEDA’s initial proposed increase was 5.5%, later reduced to 4%; the 2027 renewal remains subject to full county budget review and is not approved.
• The current CEDA arrangement provides four days or 32 hours of service per week, with two EDA specialists each assigned two days.
• CEDA estimated a three-day-per-week agreement would exceed $80,000 and a one-day-per-week agreement would cost around $34,000; these are planning figures, not a new solicitation.
• Contractors should monitor Faribault County Board of Commissioners and Faribault County Public Works Department updates and distinguish planned work or proposed renewals from awarded contracts.