Federal Grant Could Fund GF/EGF Bridge Study

East Grand Forks may seek a federal funds to further planning and design of an inner-city bridge and a Merrifield Road crossing. Details of the grant were unveiled during a recent meeting with SRF Consultants.

SRF is currently compiling a bridge scoping analysis funded by East Grand Forks…Grand Forks….Polk and Grand Forks counties. SRF would assist in submitting the grant at a cost of upwards of $30,000 dollars. News of the potential funding source comes as Grand Forks is considering dropping the inner-city bridge from the MPO’s 2050 long range transportation plan.

East Grand Forks Mayor Steve Gander says it’s worth having a conversation. “The current effort is for south end bridges. So if this would succeed in bringing in $175,000 to $16 million dollars to move Merrifield and the inner-city bridge…both…I would think it would be very short-sighted not to capitalize on that if I were in the place of Grand Forks.”

East Grand Forks Council member Brian Larson says support from neighboring communities and elected leaders could make a difference. “Strong letters of recommendation would really help with our application. The funding is only available for planning and design – not construction or acquisition of property.”

The deadline to submit the grant application is February 28th.