Highway commissioner outlines road work, approves three-way stop and snowmobile crossing
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Summary
The highway commissioner updated the committee on road and bridge work, staffing changes and budget pressures. The committee approved a low-cost, painted three-way stop at a hazardous intersection and approved forwarding a proposed snowmobile crossing to the full county board.
The Sawyer County Highway Department reported progress on road and bridge projects, described staffing changes and outlined budget challenges while the committee approved two safety and trail items.
Highway staff reported completion of a scrub seal on County 48 and work on County B; County B construction is scheduled to open for traffic by Sept. 30 with two lanes kept open during work. Staff also described mastic repairs, approaches and a patch on Wannigan Bridge, and recent work for several towns. The Thornapple Grama Bridge is open and in use.
The highway commissioner described a pragmatic change to a lakeside reconstruction project: reducing the project scope to a mill-and-fill along the lake to eliminate about a dozen parcels from required right-of-way acquisition (down from 66 parcels), which keeps the project on a 2027 construction schedule while reducing costs and environmental impacts.
Facing revenue shortfalls, staff said they are pursuing additional state funding sources and trying to avoid a large year-end transfer from the general fund. Winter maintenance and general maintenance estimates rose; wages and benefits were largely flat in preliminary budgets.
On traffic safety, staff proposed two options for a problematic New Post intersection: option 1, a paint-and-signs three-way stop (low cost); option 2, a realignment requiring grant funding and right-of-way work. The TGB analyst favored option 1, and the committee approved option 1 by motion (moved by Jim Evans, seconded by Brandy Newman).
On recreational trails, staff endorsed returning a snowmobile trail crossing (Snowville Crossing) to a location with better visibility; forestry supported the move. The committee approved forwarding the crossing to the full county board for final approval (motion by Brandy Newman; second by Jim Evans).
Staff also announced the highway department has filled positions but will soon have a patrol superintendent vacancy; commissioners noted the upcoming county road tour with state legislators to seek additional support. No cuts to projects were authorized at the meeting; staff will continue refining budgets and pursue grants.