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Highway staff report progress on multiple projects, staffing gaps and higher winter‑supply prices
Summary
The Highway Department reported completed work on CTH‑F, ongoing CTH‑CC bridge repairs and several projects in progress; staff noted a departing operator, a declined mechanic offer, and rising winter-supply costs including salt at $90.60/ton and plow blades purchased at $1,010 each.
Brandon Hytinen, Highway Commissioner, updated the committee on multiple ongoing projects: CTH‑F was paved, shouldered and centerline painted before July 4 with edge painting pending weather; mastic work is underway on four lanes; CTH‑CC bridge repair continues (northbound joint removed, bearings replaced, south abutment backwall poured); Smyth Road bridge design is under environmental and SHPO review; and the CTH‑C STP project had culverts replaced and curb/gutter poured with pulverizing set for July 20 and an estimated completion of Aug. 21.
Hytinen also reported staffing issues: an operator submitted a two‑week notice to pursue a college degree and a mechanic candidate turned down an offer; the mechanic position has been reposted and interviews are scheduled. He outlined paving goals—9.68 miles scheduled, rising to 12.75 miles with LRIP projects and potentially 14.31 miles if additional paving is approved, versus a 16‑mile annual goal to maintain a 20‑year pavement cycle for the county's 318 road miles. On supplies, he said salt increased 4.88% to $90.60 per ton for 2026–2027 and reported plow blade prices rose from $432.88 last year to vendor quotes of $1,426.13; he purchased blades from DMC Wear Parts at $1,010 each.
