County approves final payments on two road contracts; Bridal Avenue chip-seal shows flushing, MnDOT to test friction

Public works staff presented two final-payment resolutions and a technical update on a separate seal-coat project. The first resolution sought final payment to Sir Lines A Lot LLC for County Project 026M002 (traffic markings) with a total project cost of $180,139.73 and an authorized final payment of $169,580.38; staff said the expense remained under the department’s overall striping budget because of participation in a federal split project. The board approved the payment authorization by roll call.

The second resolution concerned County Project 026M004 (magnesium chloride base stabilization), completed by Freeborn County Co-op Oil at a total cost of $125,388.75; the resolution authorized a final payment of $13,130.81 and was approved. Staff then gave a detailed update on the Bridal Avenue chip-seal work: they described ‘flushing’—where excess bituminous yields a smoother, potentially slippery surface—rather than stripping, and said MnDOT will conduct friction testing within one to two weeks to determine whether corrective work or contract deductions are warranted. Staff noted that no payment has yet been made on the Bridal Avenue project while they await test results.