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County approves bridge grant, trail sponsorships and trail permits; authorizes street maintenance bids
Summary
The board approved a MnDOT local bridge replacement grant agreement for the County Road 101 bridge, renewed limited-use permits for recreational trails adjacent to Highway 11, authorized trail sponsorships for snowmobile/ATV clubs and approved multiple 2025 roadway preservation and striping bid advertisements.
Koochiching County commissioners on March 11 authorized a MnDOT local bridge replacement grant agreement, renewed permits tied to recreational trails, approved sponsorships for snowmobile and ATV clubs, and authorized a slate of road-preservation projects to be advertised for bid.
The board authorized the county chair, auditor and engineer to sign the grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the County Road 101 bridge replacement project (SAP 036598032), which county staff said will be funded approximately with $1.25 million in local bridge replacement funds plus local match (including local option sales tax funds discussed during the meeting). Project work includes a bridge replacement and a temporary bypass structure; county staff said contractors will begin work as soon as seasonal road weight limits are lifted.
Staff also presented and the board approved renewal of two MnDOT Limited Use Permits (LUP 360621 and LUP 360022) that allow trails adjacent to Highway 11, covering crossings by County Road 20 and other access points. The county engineer noted added language in the permits addressing removal of structures if the permit is terminated and standard civil-rights language; the board authorized the chair and engineer to sign the documents.
In a separate action the board voted to sponsor the county’s snowmobile, cross-country ski and ATV clubs for the Minnesota Trail Assistance Grant Aid program for fiscal year 2026, listing clubs and trails to be included. County staff explained sponsorship does not create county financial liability for the clubs’ operations; the auditor/treasurer’s office acts as the sponsor for state grant accounting.
Transportation staff asked to advertise multiple 2025 projects: a crack-seal/mastic preservation contract (CP2025-01), striping/marking contract (CP2025-02) and solicitation for hired trucks, propane and nuisance beaver services. Commissioners approved advertisement of those bids and discussed project prioritization and quantities. The board also agreed to include a courthouse paving component in the county’s 2025 paving contracts while excluding a debated forest-land storm-sewer alternate from the package.
The board approved one request to site a three-sided snowmobile-trail shelter on county-administered tax-forfeited land and ratified annual sponsorship and staffing agreements for aquatic invasive species prevention programs provided through contracted seasonal inspectors.
