The Burleigh County Commission will send one of its members into an important meeting later this month relatively unarmed.

Commissioner Claus Lembke received little guidance Monday night on how to proceed regarding a northern bridge corridor. The issue - whether to preserve a route for an arterial road and bridge north of Bismarck and Mandan - has been one of the most contentious in the last year.

On Dec. 20, the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization will make the final recommendation. It will choose to preserve one of two routes or preserve none at all.

The MPO asked the four local jurisdictions - Burleigh and Morton counties, Bismarck and Mandan - for their advice.

On Monday night, the Burleigh County Commission offered none.

Three motions regarding the issue failed, and one died for lack of support. Lembke, who also sits on the MPO board, wasn't told how he should cast his vote. There was equal support for the "north" and "south" bridge routes, with only Marlan "Hawk" Haakenson suggesting to not preserve a route.

"I was looking for direction," Lembke said after the meeting. "I feel like I'll lose either way."

At the heart of the issue is what has been referred to as the "human element."

A study, commissioned by the MPO, showed that another crossing will be needed over the Missouri River north of town in about 25 to 40 years. Two routes have been selected by an engineering firm as viable options. Another option is to not preserve land for a road and bridge. Depending on what route, if any, is chosen, homes may have to be relocated.

Engineers Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson mapped out the routes and recommended protecting a corridor now. A group called Save the Valley said engineers don't have adequate data to support the need for another bridge. Members say the three bridges already in place have capacity enough to carry current traffic. And they say that, when the four-lane Memorial Bridge is completed in 2007, it will provide enough room for traffic beyond 2030. Save the Valley members say it is a viable option - especially considering the potential impact on residents - to do nothing about a future route in the north.

The more northerly of the corridor options would cost an estimated $70 million (if the road and bridge eventually are built) and would be a more-direct route between highways 83 and 25. It could require the relocation of up to six homes. It also would pass through up to 17 platted lots, which would have to be purchased for the right-of-way.

The more southerly of the routes would cost $74 million and be two miles longer. This was the path the Bismarck City Commission chose to protect, largely because it would displace no homeowners and pass through just three platted lots.

Mandan and Morton County will visit the issue at meetings today.

(Reach Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tspilde@ndonline.com.)