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County roads staff update: new shop moving, 3-phase power costs and road reclamation discussed
Summary
Winnebago County roads staff reported progress on a new maintenance building and equipment moves, explained why three-phase electrical service added cost to the project, and described upcoming milling and reclamation work and dust-control measures ahead of Ragbrae.
County roads staff provided the board an update on a new shop building, equipment purchases, electrical service choices and upcoming road projects.
On the shop move, staff said framing and roof trusses are complete and contractors are coordinating trades including concrete, spray foam and site work. The county purchased a new two-ton jib/crane (crane hoist), new workbenches and some new contents for the building; items such as air compressors, welders and power washers will be moved from the old shop. Staff said the crane will remain with the building.
Board members and staff discussed the decision to install three-phase power in the new building. Road staff explained three-phase is needed for some existing county equipment (welders, compressors) and provides efficiency benefits; however, the service connection required running the line roughly a quarter mile and boring under a highway, increasing the cost. A county staffer said estimates discussed with Heartland Power put the electrical package around $55,000 for in-building work, but the long-distance service run and boring raised overall costs; staff said a rumor that three-phase cost $200,000 likely reflected incomplete information. The board asked staff to try to obtain a ballpark comparison for single-phase service cost for reference.
On road projects, staff said crews are working on work orders, tile holes, culvert separations and planned FEMA ditch cleaning and bridge work after the Fourth of July holiday. A milling date (June 2) was set for a project north of Buffalo Center; a subcontractor (Hulan brothers) may handle the milling portion. Staff described full-depth reclamation on the Rice Lake project and explained how reclaimers mix asphalt, cement and adhesives to produce stabilized base material in a single pass when the scope requires it.
Ahead of the Ragbrae bicycle event, roads staff said the county sealed and painted portions of Spring Valley Road and other segments in town; state patrol will assist with traffic control. Staff noted the county has limited involvement for the route through city streets and highway and will offer assistance where feasible.
On dust control and spray applications, staff described field marking procedures: landowners mark areas to be sprayed; applicators use 3.5-foot orange tube markers the county supplies as durable field indicators. Staff said the tubes often disappear and explained the tubes' purpose is to prevent recently treated sections from being blade-worked or otherwise disturbed.
Why it matters: The new building and electrical decisions affect equipment compatibility and capital expenditures. Milling and reclamation work determine road conditions and near-term construction impacts; Ragbrae event preparations and dust-control procedures affect local travel and property maintenance.
Staff said they will follow up with written cost estimates for three-phase vs single-phase service if available and will confirm subcontractor schedules for milling projects.
