By: Cook County Highway Engineer Robert Hass

With the 2023 construction season fast approaching a variety of construction projects are taking place across the county: from the Sawbill Trail to Grand Marais and up to Hovland.

Cook County West End 

Beginning on the west end of the county and at the end of the Sawbill Trail we will be replacing a deficient metal culvert across Sawbill Creek. This project will utilize local levy dollars that have been saved up over time and once complete will be a double barrel concrete box culvert. A temporary bypass will be utilized during construction to avoid road closures and construction is expected to begin August 16 and last 30 days. Northland Constructors was awarded this project for approximately $620,000.

Next is another deficient metal culvert on the Ball Club Road across Junco Creek. Funding for this project comes from a variety of sources; a DNR State Park Road Account (SPRA) grant that we competed for and won, a National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) grant that we also competed for and won in partnership with Cook County SWCD, and lastly funds directly allocated to the highway department from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRSSA) Act. The new structure will also be a double barrel concrete box culvert. There will be a detour during the duration of this project west down CSAH 8/Devil Track Road and north up Bally Creek Road to get to the Grade. Construction and the detour are expected to begin August 16 and last 30 days. Ulland Bros was awarded this project for approximately $430,000.

Grand Marais

In Grand Marais we have two projects occurring, the reconstruction of 5th Ave W and a salt/sand shed at the highway department:

The 5th Ave W reconstruction project has been discussed for several years and it’s one we’re excited to deliver. The project extents will be from TH 61 up to the intersection with CSAH 7/5th St and extend slightly through the intersection. Sidewalks will be added on both sides of the road, and we’ve partnered with both the city of Grand Marais and Cook County SWCD to provide improved stormwater systems. Funding for this project includes an $835,000 grant that we were awarded through the competitive Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP), a $180,000 Lake Superior North Watershed grant, our annual state aid allocation, and general use funds from the city. Construction is expected to begin May 30 and last until the snow flies. 5th Ave W will be closed to thru traffic for the duration of construction. Ulland Bros was awarded this project for approximately $5.3 million.

The salt/sand shed is needed because our lease to share the MnDOT facility just east of town is expiring and is not being renewed. This structure will allow us to store our winter salt/sand pile in a way that is both environmentally and budget friendly in that material won’t be lost due to exposure. This facility will be funded partially through our annual state aid allocation and undesignated cash at the highway department. Northland Constructors was awarded this project for approximately $741,000 and construction is expected to begin June 5.

Hovland

In Hovland, the replacement of a deficient multi-span timber bridge over the Flute Reed River on CR 69/North Road will take place. Funding for this comes from two sources: federal off-system bridge replacement funds (BROS) and state bridge bonds. The replacement structure will be a single span prestressed concrete beam bridge with timber railings to better match the environment. The road will be closed at this crossing so residents and visitors will detour around on CR 69/North Road and TH 61. Northland Constructors was awarded this project for approximately $891,000. Construction is expected to begin July 5 and last 80 days.

Gunflint Trail

Lastly, the upper half of the Gunflint Trail from approximately E Bearskin Road to the end will get some badly needed new roadway striping. We partnered with St Louis and Lake Counties to help drive down the unit cost of this project. This project was awarded to Sir Lines-A-Lot, LLC for approximately $78,000.

2024 projects

A few projects were delayed until 2024 from this year: a bridge replacement over Alfred Creek on CR 28, a realignment and new timber bridge on CSAH 17/Upper Road in Grand Portage, and a new heated storage building on the main Highway Department campus. The delays in these projects ranged from funding constraints to longer than expected plan review times. Regardless of the reason we’re excited to deliver these in 2024.

For additional information, please give us a call at the Cook County Highway Department, 218-387-3014. For maps and a list of projects in our 10-year transportation plan, please visit the Highway Department page on the County website at www.co.cook.mn.us.

Take care and see you on the road!

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.