County considers remote weather-monitoring cameras and notes DOT shouldering project on County Road 161
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Summary
Portage County staff reported evaluating remote weather-monitoring camera systems with AI-based detection to aid winter maintenance and noted DOT approval of a shouldering project on County Road 161 that aims to add paved shoulders when repaved in several years.
Portage County Highway Department staff told the committee on June 17 that they are evaluating remote weather-monitoring cameras (described in the meeting as “frost systems”) that include AI-based snow detection and can provide statewide access if the county signs on to a vendor contract.
County Highway Commissioner Nathan said several counties, including Forest and Marinette, use those systems and that subscribing to the statewide contract would grant access to cameras across the state. Nathan reported a subscription price of about $3,000 per unit per year; he said full systems are three to four times that cost and that a county-wide rollout would be evaluated as a future committee action item.
Staff also reported that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation approved a shouldering project on County Road 161. The shouldering work will add material now and will allow paved shoulders to be constructed when DOT repaves the route in three to four years; staff said the project will also correct a steep side slope adjacent to the pavement.
Why it matters: weather-monitoring cameras can give earlier, localized warnings for snow or frost that affect winter maintenance decisions; the DOT shouldering project is a multi-year safety improvement tied to future repaving.
Next steps: staff said they will put the county’s request to DOT in writing to confirm cost-sharing or billing arrangements and will return to the committee with a recommendation if the county decides to pursue camera units or enter a statewide contract.