The McLeod County Board on Tuesday approved two agreements with the Minnesota Department of Transportation related to the Trunk Highway 15 and Trunk Highway 212 roundabout project planned for 2026: a lighting maintenance agreement and a detour agreement for county and city highways used during construction.

County public-works staff told the board the lighting agreement (No. 1060250) covers roles and maintenance for a new intersection light at TH 15 and County State Aid Highway 26 in Brownton; MnDOT will provide major maintenance and utility locating while McLeod County will provide minor maintenance and electrical service. Andrew (staff member) said the intersection light will be installed as part of the roundabout project and that similar agreements already exist for other intersection lights around the county.

The board also approved the MnDOT detour agreement (No. 1060438) that allows MnDOT to use County/City Highways 3, 226 and 7 for detour traffic during the 2026 roundabout construction. The county will be reimbursed for road-life consumption and maintenance costs; staff presented an estimated reimbursement amount of $48,633.43. Andrew said the reimbursement is based on the number of days the detour is active and warned that the final amount could rise if the detour lasts longer than expected.

Commissioners unanimously approved both motions by voice vote; each motion carried after typical procedural acknowledgement.