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County road official says DNR holding up Spring Lake road project; right-of-way and cost questions remain
Summary
Highway staff reported the DNR has not signed off on a Spring Lake roadside project because of lake impacts, leaving the county to examine alternatives, possible right-of-way needs across many parcels and significant cost uncertainty.
Highway staff told the Sawyer County Public Works Committee that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will not yet sign off on a planned roadside project along Spring Lake because of concerns about impacts to the lake shoreline, delaying work and putting federal funding at risk.
The highway speaker said the project, which contains federal dollars, must meet Federal Design Manual (FDM) standards and that the DNR has raised concerns about lake impacts from guardrail, shoulder work and riprap. “The DNR is not willing to sign off on this project as of now, which means if they don't sign off, we could lose the funding for that road,” the speaker said.
Staff described several alternatives they have submitted to the DNR and said they are awaiting a response from the county’s consultant, SEH. Those alternatives include removing guardrail, reducing shoulder width, installing rumble strips, use of fiber mesh, replanting vegetation and potential alignment changes that would move the road off Williams Road and behind houses. Highway staff said the county has also explored a county-funded retaining wall option but described it as expensive and maintenance-intensive.
Right-of-way acquisition remains unresolved: staff said they are examining more than 50 parcels to determine what land will be needed if the road alignment changes. The speaker warned that the county’s original schedule — which anticipated land acquisition earlier and construction in 2026 or 2027 — may slip and that costs could increase substantially depending on the DNR’s response.
The speaker provided a project budget snapshot as discussed in the meeting: federal funds roughly $3,000,000 with estimated county costs of about $760,000 before right-of-way acquisitions and other adjustments. The speaker said amendments and updated estimates were still pending.
Committee members discussed whether the Wisconsin Department of Transportation could serve as an advocate with the DNR; staff described DOT as a partner that must ensure FDM compliance for projects with state and federal funding. Staff said they will return with the SEH-prepared alternatives and an updated recommendation once the DNR responds.
Separately, highway staff reported the crews have already used more than half of the department’s winter maintenance budget and that frost-tube readings indicate road bans may be lifted in roughly another week, depending on road drying. The speaker also said a $5,800 invoice for a structure load rating was submitted and reimbursed by the state.
