FEMA Awards More Than $1 Million to Replace Helendale Township Bridge in Richland County

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a total of $1,166,291 in federal funding to Richland County to replace the Helendale Bridge, an 82-foot, single-span steel truss bridge which was damaged from a severe winter storm and flooding event between April 22 - May 25, 2022.

The structure will be replaced with a 142-foot, three-span concrete bridge using contract services which follow consensus-based codes and construction sstandards. The award will fund full demolition, excavation, foundation fill, rip rap, and bridge construction.

While FEMA originally denied replacing the bridge, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) worked with state officials to press the agency to approve federal assistance.

"The severe storms in April and May of 2022 caused major damages to North Dakota's transportation and electrical infrastructure," said Cramer. "In rural North Dakota, crossings like this are often the only option for residents for miles. This is a much-needed replacement for those affected by the damage to the Helendale Bridge, while also helping to mitigate the impacts of future disasters."

The North Dakota delegation wrote a letter in support of the state's request for a presidential disaster declaration, which was submitted by then-Governor Doug Burgum on June 23, 2022. Former President Joe Biden approved the Major Disaster Declaration the next month on July 14.