The Commission agreed to pay for a handful of enhancements to the South Dakota Dept. of Transportation’s Missouri River bridge design. In partnership with the City of Fort Pierre, the City of Pierre is adding a few decorative features to the state’s base bridge design including stylized light poles, two pedestrian lookout points on the bridge, and architectural lighting. Additionally, Pierre is paying for decorative concrete panels on the bridge and a plaza on the Pierre side.
“The state provided a very nice bridge design,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “They also gave us the opportunity to put some local touches on the bridge. So, we’re exercising that option.”
Pierre’s cost for those local touches is a little more than $422,000; the biggest chunk of that cost is a plaza on the east side of the new bridge.
The new bridge will replace the current John C. Waldron Bridge that connects Pierre and Fort Pierre. Work is expected to begin late this year.
The Commission also authorized the City to sign an agreement with the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management. That agreement outlines the rules and processes that must be followed for the City to receive reimbursement from the federal CARES Act.
The State will receive the funds from the federal government, and then reimburse the community for its eligible COVID-related expenses. A little more than $3-million has been earmarked for Pierre.