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Public works says wind‑farm repower under way; warns of heavy loads and infrastructure risk
Summary
Freeborn County Public Works reported that repower work at the Bent Tree wind farm near Hartland has begun mobilization, with cranes and heavy equipment moving in; staff emphasized monitoring permits and protecting county roads, bridges and culverts and noted repower construction expected in 2027–28.
Public Works briefed the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners April 21 that repower activity on the existing Bent Tree wind farm near Hartland has moved into active mobilization and that staff are coordinating permits and road protections.
"Work is starting. They're moving cranes as we speak," Public Works staff said, noting road restrictions and signage were put in place during the week and that driveway modifications and oversized/overweight permitting are underway to allow heavy equipment into tower sites. Staff said they are collecting permit fees but prioritized protecting "millions of dollars of county infrastructure and township infrastructure" — bridges and culverts they said are at risk from heavy loads.
Public Works advised commissioners that the earliest time frame for repower or expansion construction is 2027, possibly earlier than 2028, and said contractors brought in staff from outside the county for continuous operations. Staff said they will monitor traffic and nuisance conditions, address road impacts and seek to collect appropriate permit fees to cover infrastructure risk.
In other public‑works business, the board approved a crossing agreement with Union Pacific for South Broadway Avenue (Cassaw 18) and staff announced that four county parks — St. Nicholas, White's Woods, Arrowhead and Pickerel — had opened for the season.
Why it matters: the repower project involves heavy, specialized equipment that can accelerate wear on county roads and bridges. Public Works said active monitoring and permitting are intended to protect infrastructure and recoup fees to offset impacts; no new county funding requests were made at the meeting.
