Meeker County awards three road contracts totaling about $5 million

Meeker County commissioners on April 15 approved three construction contracts for resurfacing and maintenance of county roads, awarding about $5 million in work to two contractors.

Public Works Director Phil Schmaltz told the board the largest award was for the Cassatt 3 pavement replacement project, an approximately 11-mile stretch from Kandiyohi County to Trunk Highway 22 in the county's northwest. Schmaltz said Knife River, Sauk Rapids, was the low bidder and recommended the county award SP 047603013 to Knife River for an estimated $3,033,256.46. Schmaltz said the project is federally funded: about 80% of the cost is expected to come from federal Local Road and Bridge funds, with the remainder drawn from state aid construction accounts.

The board also approved a similar award for Cassatt 12, a roughly 5-mile project from Casa 1 to the McLeod County border. Knife River again was the low bidder; the county approved SAP 47612008 for an estimated $1,763,654.44. Schmaltz said this project will be funded 100% from county state-aid highway funds (state gas-tax money).

Commissioners approved the county's annual chip-seal contract for 2025, awarding the work to Aztec of St. Joseph, Minnesota, for an estimated $233,750.94. Schmaltz described the chip seal as a protective surface treatment intended to preserve asphalt placed in previous years, and said bid prices were favorable compared with last year.

During discussion, Schmaltz noted the county received four competitive bids on the paving projects and that prices have come down from recent peaks. Commissioners also asked staff to inspect culvert and ditch areas during resurfacing work; Schmaltz said the contractor will replace seven centerline culverts in May and crews will clean around replaced pipes but will not perform broad ditch excavation as part of the paving contracts.

All three motions were made, seconded and approved by voice vote.