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Hubbard County EDA approves WSN engineering work for industrial park access and railroad crossing changes
Summary
The Hubbard County EDA/HRA voted to hire WSN for engineering work on County 101 and associated railroad-crossing adjustments tied to an industrial park project, with the board agreeing to fund the engineering from EDA/HRA funds and to recoup costs from future lot sales.
The Hubbard County Economic Development Authority/HRA voted to approve an engineering contract with WSN to develop design work for County 101 and related railroad-crossing changes tied to the proposed industrial park.
Mary, director of the HRA, and Jeff, county staff, told the board the railroad and MnDOT have committed to construction funding for most improvements but that engineering costs remain uncovered; the board agreed to advance the engineering from EDA/HRA funds and recoup the expense when parcels are sold.
Jeff outlined map locations where two crossings would be eliminated and described a proposed connector (shown on the meeting map) that would link County 101 to 315th. He said the eliminated crossings would cause the affected roads to dead-end on the north side of the tracks and that the connector likely would be built as gravel initially and paved only if future development requires it. Board members raised concerns about a nearby homeowner’s privacy and potential heavy-truck routing; Jeff said design considerations could include a privacy fence and that the road would be built to a heavier standard so it could be paved later.
On procurement, Jeff explained that professional services are excluded from competitive-bid requirements and that WSN was being continued as the consultant for the next scope. Board members asked whether multiple bids were required; staff replied they were not for professional engineering services.
A motion to approve the WSN engineering proposal was moved and seconded by board members and carried on a voice vote. The board instructed staff to proceed with the public outreach process with the township and to finalize the design details before construction funding is sought.
