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Emmons County accepts DOT SRF grant selection for Cattail Bay Road; commissioners authorize next steps
Summary
Commissioners accepted selection of a DOT State Revolving Fund (SRF) reimbursement award for a multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar stabilization project on the first two miles of Cattail Bay Road and authorized staff to move forward with planning and bidding.
Emmons County commissioners agreed on May 1 to accept selection for a State Department of Transportation (DOT) SRF reimbursement award to stabilize the first two miles of Cattail Bay Road near Cattail/Beaver Bay and to proceed with project planning.
Staff presented an SRF application that the DOT selected for funding; the program reimburses a percentage of eligible construction costs (a typical structure is a 60/40 split where the state portion covers up to 60 percent of eligible costs). County engineering estimates put the project in the mid‑$500,000 range to cement‑stabilize the roadway and place a gravel wearing surface; commissioners discussed grant conditions and potential local match obligations and reaffirmed the need to evaluate construction options including imported clay to build a stable base versus extensive shoulder excavation.
Why it matters: Cattail Bay Road serves residents, campgrounds and seasonal recreational users; it has recurring maintenance problems because underlying soils are poor and sections are frequently saturated. Commissioners concluded accepting the SRF award preserves an opportunity to secure up to the program cap for a reconstruction/ stabilization project that county staff said would provide a long‑lasting base and reduce recurring maintenance.
Commission action and next steps: The commission voted to accept the SRF selection and authorized staff to finalize project details, obtain quantity estimates (including clay‑import options), coordinate timing with landowners and stakeholders, and prepare bids. Commissioners discussed widening the finished roadway to a 32‑foot subgrade to preserve future options (such as eventual paving) and asked highway staff to prepare material‑quantity estimates and a draft schedule. The commission noted that if bids come in significantly higher than engineering estimates the county can decline the award; SRF funds are reimbursement‑based and must be used for eligible work.
Practical note: County staff and the contractor team said cement stabilization has worked on smaller test sections in the county and could be a cost‑effective remedy on poor soils; staff will return with granular estimates and a recommended construction approach before awarding any contract.
