St. Louis County approves roughly $4 million in road and safety project contracts

St. Louis County commissioners approved a package of public‑works contract awards covering seven roadway and safety projects across the county, staff said the aggregate work represents roughly $4,000,000 and came in at or below the county engineer's estimates.

The board approved multiple low bids and funding plans: the annual crack sealing and crack repair program (partners included Chisholm, Cook, Hermantown and Proctor); a box‑culvert replacement partly funded with $189,000 in bridge‑bond funds and local transportation sales tax; an ADA and lighting project that includes a J‑turn on Highway 53 at County Highway 68 funded primarily through MnDOT partnership money (county contribution reported at about $5,000); HSIP‑funded striping and edge‑line maintenance projects (roughly 90% federal funding for eligible striping work); a countywide chip‑seal and seal‑coating preventative‑maintenance program (county portion just under $2,000,000, with state aid and local funding and environmental services work on landfill access roads); and a package of three projects around Ely, with a mix of state funds, transportation sales tax and about $600,000 from the State Park Road account and DNR funds to reconfigure a boat‑launch access and improve safety on County Road 655 (White Iron Road).

Public‑works staff said several projects were significantly under engineer's estimates and that offering county contracts to cities and townships produced economies of scale. Motions to award the contracts were made, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Next steps: project contracts will be executed and staff will coordinate schedules with partner cities and MnDOT as appropriate.