Douglas County OKs preparation work on five-year highway plan, outlines major projects and funding sources
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Summary
The county board approved resolution 26-17 to begin preparing projects in a five-year highway improvement plan. Public Works Director Tim Erickson described funding sources (state gas tax, local sales tax, federal funds, grants and local levy) and listed key projects including surfacing, reclaim-and-pave jobs, and a shared-use path.
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted to authorize staff to prepare projects included in the county’s five‑year highway improvement plan, a planning document that maps anticipated funding to county road and trail needs over the next five years.
“It's really just a planning document,” said Tim Erickson, the county’s public works director and county engineer, as he walked commissioners through funding sources and project priorities. Erickson told the board that the county’s share of state aid from the gas tax is “about 9 and a half million dollars,” and that the county also receives roughly $5 million a year from a half‑cent local option sales tax enacted in 2014.
Why it matters: the resolution (26‑17) authorizes staff to spend county funds on planning, design and advertisement steps for projects but does not authorize construction or contract awards. Erickson said the plan is a living document — projects, scheduled years and details can change as funding and priorities shift.
Key projects and funding - Final surfacing on County Roads 4 and 8 and a reclaim‑and‑pave of County Road 8 to County Road 82 are listed for 2026, funded by gas tax and sales tax dollars. - County Road 40 is planned as a federally funded project on about a 60/40 split (federal/local); Erickson said federal awards typically require a local match. - A Trunk Highway 29 bridge replacement was identified as a legislative earmark secured for the county; Erickson described that funding flowing through the state’s bonding process. - A 10‑foot shared‑use concrete path on McKay Avenue (County 46) — funded by an active‑transportation grant — is planned to connect the Central Lakes Trail to schools and reduce pedestrian traffic on busy roads.
Commissioners asked about coordination with state work and how construction could affect traffic. Commissioner (last name as in the record) raised concerns about overlapping projects on Trunk Highway 114; Erickson said the county is coordinating schedules and that some paving packages are already out for bid.
Public comment and access to polling places During the public‑hearing portion, resident Vicky asked what impacts construction would have on polling places in even‑numbered election years. Erickson replied that construction contracts require contractors to provide reasonable access and that most reclaim‑and‑pave work is performed under traffic; for grading projects the county stages work to maintain access to polling places.
What’s next: With the board’s vote to adopt resolution 26‑17 the county will proceed with design and advertisement steps for projects. Erickson emphasized that the board will receive separate requests for approval to advertise and to award construction contracts when those phases arrive.