Freeborn County approves multiple road and maintenance contracts totaling several million dollars
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Summary
The Freeborn County Board approved a series of Public Works contracts on March 3, 2026, including culvert pipelining, sand supply, seal coating and two major paving projects and related maintenance agreements; all passed by roll call following brief discussion of budgets and federal grants.
The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on March 3 approved a slate of highway and maintenance contracts recommended by Public Works, covering culvert repairs, sand supply for winter operations, seal coating, striping, magnesium chloride application on gravel roads and two large paving projects.
Public Works staff said the board acknowledged seasonal quotes for recurring highway supplies and awarded a $103,605 contract to Subsurface Incorporated for cast‑in‑place pipelining of various county culverts, a preventative step intended to increase resiliency ahead of paving work. Staff noted the low bid was substantially below the engineer's estimate but that the county has prior experience with the contractor and is confident in delivery.
The board also approved a supply contract with Eulan Brothers for at least 5,000 tons of washed sand at $13.95 per ton (estimated maximum if full quantity purchased, about $69,750). Staff explained the county does not always purchase the full quantity annually but seeks the contract to guarantee availability in emergencies.
A seal‑coating contract totaling $711,048.15 was approved for work on Bridal Avenue in Albert Lea, a short section of Independence Avenue in Clarks Grove and an 11‑mile segment of County Road 26; staff said the low bid was about 15% below the engineer's estimate. The board also approved a $176,993.51 striping contract to Sir Lines A Lot LLC for routine lane‑striping, and a $112,431.25 contract with Freeborn County Co‑op for magnesium chloride application to higher‑traffic gravel roads (one bid received, within 5% of estimate).
Two larger paving contracts were approved. The first awards Eulan Brothers $3,878,587.70 to perform full‑depth reclamation and paving of a 10‑mile segment of County State Highway 35 east of Geneva; the project includes previously awarded federal grant funding and an added HSIP allocation staff requested to increase the federal share. The second paving award, for multiple county routes, was approved for $6,249,420.25; staff said both projects received two bids and the low bids were materially under engineer estimates.
Commissioners asked routine budget and scheduling questions (for example, whether sand inventories would reduce purchase needs and how federal grant timelines relate to current contracts). Public Works said federal grant awards referenced future years and do not obligate the county for the current contract work; the board indicated the county can absorb modest overages within existing budgets or adjust allocations as needed.
Each resolution was entered, seconded and approved by roll call.
The Public Works director said two additional bridge and concrete rehabilitation contracts will be brought to the board at the April meeting.