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County board approves road and bridge contracts, motor grader purchase and state-aid advance
Summary
Cook County approved a planned 2026 motor grader purchase, awarded a $1.779 million Pine River bridge contract to Redstone Construction and a $841,020 multiuse trail contract to MJ Companies, and approved borrowing ahead 2027 county state-aid funds to secure project continuity.
Cook County commissioners on Jan. 27 authorized several transportation purchases and contract awards and approved advancing state-aid funds to ensure a full slate of 2026–2027 projects can proceed.
County engineering staff presented a planned purchase of a motor grader to replace an 11‑year‑old unit; staff said the purchase is made through a state contract and the annual cost is roughly in the $79,000–$80,000 range. Commissioner Gamble asked whether the county was required to lease, and staff answered that the county is buying off a state contract.
Engineer Haas reviewed two larger construction contracts. The Pine River bridge replacement drew one complete bid from Redstone Construction LLC at about $1,779,114.30, roughly 12% over the county’s estimate; Haas said higher costs reflect Cook County’s remoteness, hauling distances and other local factors. “The socioeconomic realities of living in Cook County, Minnesota,” Haas said, are a major driver of price, including hauling and timing.
The multiuse trail contract (SP016...) went to MJ Companies LLC for $841,020.25. Commissioners discussed schedule, the plan for bypasses and detours, and the use of incentives or disincentives in specifications to encourage timely completion.
Given the busy construction slate and the risk of change orders or overruns, engineers recommended advancing the county’s 2027 state-aid allotment to have funds on hand; the board approved a resolution to do so after discussion about risks and discipline for future borrowing.
The motions to authorize the motor grader purchase, to award the bridge and trail contracts and to approve the state-aid advance all passed by voice vote.
