Wright County approves Casa 35–Casa 8 roundabout contract over lone dissent; funds signal upgrades

The Wright County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 9 to award a $2,839,838.75 contract to New Look Contracting for the Casa 35–Casa 8 roundabout, to approve a countywide traffic-signal modernization project and to authorize a $78,527.04 final payment to New Look Contracting for contract 2409.

The board awarded the roundabout contract by a 4–1 vote. Commissioner Moyna opposed the award. Chad, a highway department representative, said the county received a “significant amount of bidders,” recommended awarding to the low bidder and said the plan is to “start construction this fall” with a two‑season schedule that would close the road next spring. He said there would be “no traffic impact” this fall and explained contractors appear to have strong demand this season.

The county also approved a signal modernization contract (contract 2508) to add countdown timers, enhanced pedestrian crossings, ADA upgrades and reflective backing plates on signal heads. That measure passed unanimously. Chad said the project will “bring all the signals up to our current standards” and that one intersection slated for future conversion to a roundabout will be removed from the signal project so its federal funds can be redistributed to the other intersections.

Commissioner Moyna raised concerns before the roundabout vote, saying the intersection “is out in the middle of the country” and that townships had expressed reservations. Moyna said the county data showed only “6 accidents” at the site, “there hasn't been any fatal ones” and “there's only been 2 serious accidents,” and suggested a four‑way stop might be a more viable option for the location. Moyna added, “I don't think that that necessarily is a reason why we have to spend … lost money to go and get $750,000 from the federal government.”

Responding to concerns, the chair said the county is “forward looking” and sometimes addresses projects several years before traffic volumes require them to make future work less complicated. The chair framed the project as an effort to get ahead of safety and maintenance needs.

Separately, the board approved final acceptance and an authorized final payment of $78,527.04 to New Look Contracting for contract 2409; that resolution passed unanimously.

Actions taken are limited to the contract awards and payments recorded on the docket. No additional funding commitments or schedule changes beyond those described in county staff presentations were adopted in the meeting record.

Less-critical details: county staff said many bidders submitted proposals and that start-of-work is planned for this fall for the roundabout, with road closure in spring of the following year. The signal project will reallocate federal funds from the removed intersection to the remaining intersections so funds are not jeopardized.