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Nicollet County approves MnDOT detour agreement for Highway 22 project
Summary
The county board approved a MnDOT detour agreement and resolution for a 2025 Trunk Highway 22 resurfacing project that will detour traffic onto County Road 15 for about 100 days; MnDOT will reimburse the county roughly $4,700 (final amount based on actual days).
Nicollet County commissioners voted to approve a Minnesota Department of Transportation detour agreement and an accompanying resolution to accommodate a 2025 road improvement project on Trunk Highway 22.
The agreement covers the planned mill-and-resurface, grading, riprap and intersection lighting work on Highway 22 from Arcon Road 20 west to Trunk Highway 111. MnDOT will close the highway for the construction season and detour Highway 22 traffic onto County Road 15 for an estimated construction period of about 100 days. MnDOT’s estimated compensation to Nicollet County for use of County Road 15 is a little less than $4,700; the final reimbursement will be adjusted to the actual number of detour days.
Why it matters: County officials said the detour will shift roughly the Highway 22 daily traffic (estimated at about 700–762 vehicles per day) onto County Road 15 during construction. Public works staff and commissioners discussed the adequacy of MnDOT’s reimbursement formula, describing it as an “antiquated” industry standard that several county engineers’ groups are working to update. The county’s public works director said the payment is intended to cover the life‑consumed portion of pavement and is not a guarantee against damage.
Board action and discussion: Public Works Director Seth Greenwood presented the agreement and the draft resolution and answered commissioners’ questions about traffic counts and timing. The board moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote. Greenwood said the county has not yet received a confirmed MnDOT start date; the construction season timing is weather dependent.
What’s next: The chair and county administrator are authorized to sign the agreement and future amendments needed for the detour agreement. County staff said they will monitor the detour, document any pavement impacts, and pursue broader discussions with MnDOT and county engineering peers about detour reimbursement calculations.
Details in brief: MnDOT project: Trunk Highway 22 mill/resurface, grading, riprap and lighting; detour: County Road 15; estimated detour duration: ~100 days; estimated MnDOT reimbursement: a little less than $4,700 (final amount based on days in use).
