Marquette County highway committee reviews January financials, salt dome replacement and multiple road projects
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Summary
Committee reviewed January financials showing $144,005.71 in State RMA expenditures and county budget breakdowns, heard that DOT adjusted salt dome invoices shifting some costs to the county, and received schedules for an awarded South End project and upcoming ESTP and ARIP solicitations.
The Marquette County Highway Committee reviewed financial results and project updates at its Feb. 17 meeting.
County highway staff reported January State RMA spending of $144,005.71, representing just under 15% of the state RMA allocation. Line items included $24,003.41 for asphalt patching, $71,005.44 for winter maintenance and roughly $27,000 for brushing; winter storage reimbursements and readiness credits were also noted. The county's internal budget reporting showed total use just under $125,000 for county funds and a remaining budget of about $2,920,000.
On capital projects, staff said the South End project (State Highway 39 corridor from Breakbush) has been let and awarded to Gassers; work is expected to focus in May–July under a 45‑day working contract once the contractor begins. North End work is anticipated next year. Staff also said the county asphalt plant crew is performing seasonal maintenance and has mastic ordered should the schedule require it.
Regarding a salt dome replacement, staff reported ongoing invoice adjustments with the Department of Transportation. "In their opinion, we paved a little too much out there, so they had us roll back some of the asphalt costs," the staff member said; DOT is funding a smaller paved area (a 30‑by‑30 or 40‑by‑40 square) in front of the building, leaving the county to cover remaining overages.
Staff updated the committee on local bridge coordination: John Montel is arranging meetings with DOT, Union Pacific and the railroad commissioner about a bridge on 14th, and Columbia County project awards are still pending (anticipated in April). A new state program for structures between 6 and 20 feet (larger than culverts, smaller than bridges) was introduced with $3,000,000 available for replacements and will be applied for similarly to LRIP; the county identified multiple qualifying structures across towns and county systems.
Other updates included arrival of four quad‑axle chassis ordered with prior borrowing (to be built and outfitted April–May, paid from future budgets), full current staffing with apprentice evaluations in process, and WCHA and level‑of‑service committee meetings scheduled.
Procedural votes at the start of the meeting approved the agenda (motion by Kathy Jo Locke; second by John Bennett) and the Jan. 20, 2026 minutes (motion by John Bennett; second by Lance Ochterberg). The committee adjourned at the close of the meeting.
