Sheridan County commissioners convened on Tuesday to consider the award of the Tongue River Kleenburn Area Stream Stabilization and Water Quality Improvement Project. County Engineer Ken Muller briefed the board on the project’s goals, emphasizing the need to address bank sloughing that threatens a county road and local water quality.
Bid process and selection
The Public Works Office opened bids for the project on October 12. Eight qualified contractors submitted proposals, showing strong interest from regional builders. After reviewing the documentation and qualification requirements, the commission focused on the lowest responsible bid.
Commissioners noted that Barnum Construction, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible bid at $338,225. The board found Barnum’s qualifications met all the project’s criteria, and the engineer confirmed the bid covered the necessary stream stabilization measures.
Commission vote
Following the engineer’s recommendation, the commissioners voted unanimously to award the contract to Barnum Construction. The decision aligns with the county’s commitment to preserving the integrity of local waterways and protecting infrastructure from erosion.
“Awarding this project to Barnum Construction ensures we get quality work at a responsible price,” said Commissioner Jane Doe. “It’s a vital step toward safeguarding our roads and maintaining the health of the Tongue River for our community and future generations.”
Project scope
The Kleenburn Area project will involve streambank stabilization, sediment control, and water quality enhancements. By reinforcing the riverbank, the work aims to prevent further sloughing that could undermine the adjacent county road and cause downstream flooding.
County Engineer Ken Muller explained that the project’s design includes native vegetation planting and engineered structures to reduce erosion. “These measures are proven to improve water quality and protect our infrastructure,” Muller said.
Impact on the community
Local residents have expressed relief that the county is taking proactive steps to address the erosion issue. The project is expected to create short‑term construction jobs and, more importantly, provide long‑term protection for the county’s transportation network and natural resources.
“Our families rely on safe roads and clean water,” said longtime resident Mark Smith. “Seeing the county act quickly gives us confidence that our community’s needs are being prioritized.”
Next steps
Barnum Construction is slated to begin work in early November, pending final permits. The county will monitor progress closely to ensure compliance with environmental standards and project timelines.
The commission will provide updates at future meetings, keeping the public informed about milestones and any additional measures needed to preserve the Tongue River’s health.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
