County authorizes MnDOT-funded intersection study at Hwy 12 and 34 to guide funding requests

The Meeker County Board authorized MnDOT to finish a previously started Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) for the intersection of State Highways 12 and 34, a study county staff said is needed to strengthen future funding applications.

Bill Schmalsen, the county’s public works director, told commissioners the ICE began in 2017 but stopped short of completing public involvement and selecting a configuration. MnDOT agreed to cover 50% of the estimated $38,000–$39,000 cost; the remaining half is expected to be split with the city (the staff discussion estimated the county’s share of the remaining half at roughly 60% and the city 40%, which would put the county’s outlay at about $10,000). Bolton & Menk is identified as the likely consultant to finish the evaluation and public-engagement portion.

Commissioners discussed whether the study will capture harvest-season truck traffic and whether adjoining frontage roads, nearby businesses (fuel stations, banks) and the railroad will be included in public involvement. Schmalsen said the project team will be asked to account for harvest traffic and to invite adjacent stakeholders to the process.

Commissioner Schmidt moved to approve a resolution authorizing MnDOT Work Order 1 under the Master Partnership Agreement; Commissioner Johnson seconded and the board voted in favor with an explicit roll call confirming five "yes" votes.

Why it matters: completing the ICE provides the technical basis for seeking state or federal funding to address driver confusion and safety at a corridor with complex frontage-road and business access patterns. The study’s findings will inform whether a signal, roundabout or other configuration is appropriate.

Next steps: staff will finalize the work order with MnDOT and the consultant, request the study include harvest-season considerations, and pursue grant funding for subsequent design and construction phases.