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County approves 8-ton limit on parts of County 5 and 11 and funds pavement testing; commissioners debate state gas-tax bill
Summary
Grand Forks County commissioners agreed to change weight restrictions on County 5 and 11 to an 8-ton restriction in parts and approved $200,000 from the construction fund to collect subgrade modulus and truck-traffic data on paved county roads. Commissioners also discussed House Bill 1382 (a proposed 3'cent state gas-tax increase) with no formal,
Grand Forks County commissioners voted March 18 to change weight restrictions on portions of County 5 and County 11 and to fund pavement testing across the county to inform future spring load-limit decisions.
The commission approved a staff recommendation to change two sections of County 5 and County 11 to an 8-ton restriction (except for a portion previously designated unrestricted). Staff said the change follows a field evaluation including FWD testing and that a pavement overlay alternative (a 2.5-, 3- and 2-inch overlay sequence) could make the road unrestricted if pursued. The restriction change was set to take effect with the county's 2025 spring weight restrictions, which follow the North Dakota Department of Transportation schedule.
The board also unanimously approved taking $200,000 from the county construction fund to collect subgrade modulus and truck-traffic information on paved county roads this summer. County staff said the planned work will focus on truck traffic and subgrade strength so the county can make data-driven decisions about spring weight limits and potential pavement improvements. Staff said they will return this fall or in winter with recommendations based on the collected data.
Discussion of state legislative priorities
Commissioners discussed several state bills that affect county roads and funding. County staff highlighted House Bill 1382, a proposal to increase the state motor fuel tax by 3 cents per gallon; staff estimated the bill would provide Grand Forks County with a little over half a million dollars in recurring annual revenue for the highway department if the bill were enacted. Commissioners expressed mixed views: some supported the reliability of a dedicated gas-tax revenue stream for road maintenance, while others opposed raising taxes and preferred reallocating existing state spending.
The commission also reviewed Senate Bill 2012, described by staff as a DOT budget and a possible source of bridge and highway funding that could require match formulas and applications if enacted. Staff said the county should be prepared to track bridge counts and applications if a new formula favors counties with more bridges.
What happens next
County staff will collect subgrade modulus and traffic data this summer and return in the fall or winter with a recommendation on how to proceed with spring limits and potential pavement improvements. The commission did not take a formal position on House Bill 1382 during the meeting; commissioners asked staff to monitor state action and report as bills move through the legislature.
