EGF still eyeing bridge consultant

East Grand Forks is readying an RFP to hire a consultant for planning an intercity bridge at 32nd Avenue South.

The city council reviewed the draft document last night during a work session. The selected firm would be responsible for all planning… data…and permitting to get the project shovel ready.

East Grand Forks council member Dale Helms questioned the hiring of a consultant before Grand Forks agrees to the bridge location. City Administrator David Murphy says 32nd was the preferred site of the MPO’s Bridge Impact Ad Hoc committee.

Mayor Steve Gander says it’s important to get the project to the next level – and obtaining a 50/50 cost share with Grand Forks for the consultant would be a show of good faith. “This was the only location that actually gave the cost benefit ratio of greater than one. In other words you would have a hard time even funding the other location.” Gander says there will be misgivings at any site adding “We really need the bridge.”

A timeline for releasing the RFP was not disclosed.