Nevada County supervisors approved a $120,000 contract with a consulting firm to design a safer intersection at Brunswick and Idaho-Maryland Roads.

The conceptual design work will begin next month and will likely be complete in nine months.

The intersection will improve circulation of cars in the Brunswick corridor and Loma Rica Industrial Park, as well as factor in increased traffic coming from the proposed Loma Rica Ranch development and long awaited Dorsey Drive Interchange.

Of the 13 local and out of town firms that sent statements of qualifications to the county’s public works department, staff selected BKF Engineers of Sacramento to do the work.

The company was chosen over local engineering firms because the project requires “unique expertise” in designing plans that could include a roundabout, said Steve Castleberry, Nevada County’s senior civil engineer.

Nevada County Transportation Commission will supply $50,500 in regional planning funds for the project.

Developers of the Loma Rica Ranch will trim off an additional $20,000 by incorporating some of the studies for the project in the development's environmental review process, said Doug Farrell, director of public works.

“It’s truly a partnership of all the major stake holders. We feel pretty good about that,” Farrell said.