Council authorizes preliminary design work for Hungry Hill Road rehabilitation

Bruceville‑Eddy councilors voted on March 27 to authorize preliminary engineering and design work for a rehabilitation of a deteriorated stretch of Hungry Hill Road, after hearing staff and consultant estimates showing a full reconstruction is needed rather than a simple resurfacing.

City administrator Kent Manton told council a segment of Hungry Hill nearest Highway 7 has base failure that makes short‑term fixes such as chip seal or mill‑and‑overlay inadequate. Staff and MRB Group proposed a reconstruction designed for a 20‑year service life able to carry heavy vehicles; the engineer’s initial opinion of probable cost (OPC) showed engineering fees around $58,000 and construction OPC in the $275,000–$300,000 range for roughly 560 linear feet.

Manton recommended proceeding only with the preliminary tasks — survey, geotechnical work and design — estimated at about one‑third of the engineering total and to consult with Helena (a nearby facility and heavy‑vehicle user) about cost sharing. Council approved a motion to authorize preliminary and design work only and directed staff to pursue funding options and discussions with the neighboring facility about contribution. Councilors emphasized the need to design a durable base to avoid repeated repairs if heavy truck traffic continues to use the road.