County engineer outlines storm cleanup, road repairs and bridge plans

Mills County Engineer Mr. Frell told the Board that county crews and contractors have been working through extensive storm cleanup and that a series of road projects are scheduled over the coming days and months.

"We did have people out from about 4:30 in the morning to maybe 2 or 3 in the afternoon for storm cleanup, a lot of trees down, power lines down, wash outs," Mr. Frell said, describing the immediate response. He told the board that contractors would begin a rejuvenation spray on 221st Street around noon and that pavement markings would be restored over a three-day window.

Mr. Frell outlined the county's plan for Deacon Road: crews need a 72-hour dry window to complete base stabilization work, followed by compaction and spraying; weather has pushed the start dates and the project may begin late in the week or early next week. He said L63 is back up and running and crews are milling out the failed material in preparation for paving the underlying good material.

On drainage, Mr. Frell said a Greenwood structure near 340th and Donner has water infiltration and a small sinkhole; crews will cut off flow, fill voids and perform concrete repairs to restore proper drainage. He also said Denco will return in July to do asphalt fillets on 230th Street and noted the 215th Street Bridge is scheduled for a September letting with winter construction planned.

Mr. Frell also discussed ownership of millings: some contracts allow the contractor to keep removed millings unless the county specifies otherwise, which can affect bid price. He said the county can write contract terms to retain millings, but that usually increases asphalt cost.

The engineer said he will follow up on the state’s schedule for a separate ridge-removal project and coordinate contractors to minimize disruption.