Board approves MnDOT detour agreement for Highway 40 turn lane and accepts Edwards Township Bridge final payment

Public works director Mel Lodins told commissioners the county received a standard detour agreement with MnDOT tied to a planned turn-lane addition on Trunk Highway 40 near the industrial/rail park. Lodins said MnDOT plans a closure and detour for approximately six weeks (beginning in July, potentially extending to eight weeks if weather delays occur) while they construct the turn lane; the county's calculated road-life and maintenance reimbursement for detour traffic was $2,363.68 under the gas-tax method.

Lodins recommended the board pass Resolution 2026-15 to authorize the chair and county administrators to sign the detour agreement; the board moved and approved the resolution.

Lodins also reported on the Edwards Township Bridge project, which was bid and constructed after being closed for roughly a year. The low bid was $381,513; the project was completed and the board accepted final completion and authorized release of the 1% retainage final payment of $3,800.30 to Asheville Company. The acceptance and payment were approved by voice vote.