Beaver Branch Bridge will be closed beginning today for approximately 3-4 months for repairs and rehabilitation, according to Luverne City Engineer Morris Tate.

The bridge is located on County Road 39, or the Mt. Ida Highway, about one mile from U.S. 331 South.

Tate said that the road itself would be open except for the area immediately around the bridge.

“Local traffic will be detoured around County Road 41 and Hwy. 331 South for the next 3-4 months,” Tate said.

G.W. Norrell Contracting Company, Inc. will be doing the repairs; the costs will run approximately $127,488, according to Tate.

“The city of Luverne will be paying for this,” Tate said. “They’ve tried relentlessly to get state and federal help to get funding, but to no avail, so this will be paid for with city gas tax monies.”

The Luverne City Council unanimously approved a motion Monday night to enter into an emergency contract with G.W. Norrell Contracting for the repairs to the bridge with the stipulation of clarification of the last sentence in the contract. The contract states that the contracting company and its employees “shall be held harmless for any liability resulting from work done on this project.”

Luverne Mayor Joe Rex Sport said that City Attorney Mike Jones would be consulted in this matter concerning the wording of the contract.

The motion passed Monday night also stipulated that G.W. Norrell Contracting would supply the bond before the work begins.