Crow Wing County adopts $80 million five‑year highway improvement plan with major resurfacing in 2026
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Summary
County engineer Tim Bray outlined an $80 million five‑year plan (including $8 million federal grants, $28 million county state aid and $34 million local option sales tax) that funds 39 miles of resurfacing, four roundabouts and multiple bridge projects; the board approved the plan.
County Engineer Tim Bray presented the five‑year highway improvement plan, which he said encompasses roughly $80 million in total investment for construction, engineering and partner contributions. The plan breaks down funding to include about $8 million in federal grant funding, $28 million from county state aid and $34 million from the local option sales tax.
Bray described 39 miles of resurfacing planned for 2026 and said the five‑year program includes four roundabouts, six bridge replacements and three bridge rehabs. He noted that the local option sales tax has allowed the county to increase resurfacing and that the department is continuing to save for long‑range projects such as a Mill Avenue Bridge rehabilitation.
Bray reviewed changes from prior planning, including an interim $200,000 congestion solution near Eagle View Elementary that will be used instead of a previously considered $2 million roundabout, and noted a coordination requirement with MnDOT for certain trunk‑highway roundabout projects. Commissioners asked about timings and specific intersections and the county engineer confirmed coordinated plans with MnDOT projects.
After discussion, the board moved and approved the five‑year highway improvement plan.
