The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District board of directors have approved an interlocal agreement with Gosper County for bridge replacement. In the agreement, Central agrees to begin the process of replacing the Johnson Lake inlet bridge that was forced to be closed by the county in November 2025 due to safety reasons.
Currently, that bridge was owned and maintained by Gosper County. With the new agreement, Central would take over ownership of the inlet bridge and commit to remove the current bridge and replace it with a new steel and concrete bridge. The district understands the importance of the bridge as an emergency vehicle route and access to Johnson Lake for residents and recreation visitors. Gosper County agreed to pay $300,000 towards the cost of removal of the current inlet bridge and location requirements of the new one.
In exchange for taking over and replacing the Johnson Lake inlet bridge, Gosper County would close two of Central’s bridges over the supply canal. Central would handle the removal of the district’s two timber bridges located at supply canal mile post 70.7 and at post 73.4 which are downstream from the Johnson Lake outlet bridge.
Central approved a contract with Oak Creek Engineering of Kearney to design the new inlet bridge that will be located at the same site as the existing bridge. Estimated cost of the project is $3 million. The engineering firm has started design of the project, and a construction timeline is dependent on contractors and availability of bridge materials. CNPPID Hydraulic Operations Manager Cory Steinke projects that construction could begin in late 2026 with the earliest completion date of the project in late summer or early fall 2027, however it is expected to be done prior to the 2028 recreation season.
Together the working partnership provides cost savings for both entities. Central takes responsibility over the Johnson Lake inlet bridge from Gosper County by installing an updated bridge to meet today’s standards and by removing the bridges, Central is expected to save $5 million in replacement costs and future maintenance of the timber structures.
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Bridges pictured above are the two timber bridges over the supply canal that will be closed by the county and removed by Central.