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Nicollet County to test rotating-tine attachment on gravel roads with OPERA grant
Summary
The county accepted an OPERA subaward to buy and evaluate an 83-inch rotating-tine implement to speed reclamation of gravel-road windrows; the grant covers up to $20,000 and the county expects the equipment to cost about $16,000.
The Nicollet County Board approved accepting an OPERA (Local Operational Research Assistance) subaward to test a rotating-tine attachment intended to accelerate reclamation of gravel-road windrows, staff said. The subaward can fund up to $20,000 for equipment purchase, testing and a final report to the Minnesota LTAP program at the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies.
Public Works Director Seth told the board the attachment (an 83-inch rotating-tine implement available through UFC) is intended to pulverize organic material trapped in windrowed shoulder material so the fines and binder can be restored to the road surface more quickly and improve surface compaction. He said the county has not used this specific implement for this task before and that OPERA funding is intended to support trialing innovations. The implement price quoted to the county is approximately $16,000; a similar John Deere-branded unit is priced nearer $36,000, Seth said. The proposal includes purchase, testing and a written report; successful results may be published for other agencies to evaluate.
Commissioners asked about how the tool handles gravel versus organic material and whether it could be repurposed for ditch or reseeding work; Seth said the rotating tines pulverize the mixed material while leaving the gravel fines that bind the surface intact, and noted the implement may have other agricultural or ditch-preparation uses. The board moved and approved the subaward and authorized the Public Works Director to sign the agreement.
