The roads may be covered with snow right now, but it won’t be long before construction projects begin, and this year’s Sherburne County project schedule is pretty busy.

 

Beginning this spring, work crews will be resurfacing four sections of roadway, reconstructing two roads, replacing three bridges and installing three roundabouts.

 

“We are looking at one of the largest construction seasons we’ve ever had,” says Sherburne County Director of Public Works Andrew Witter.

 

The projects will run about $20 million, compared to about $17 million last year.

 

There are lots of federal and state dollars contributing to the costs, but none of the 2019 projects will be using any of the new transportation tax funds.

 

“We just started collecting the tax Jan. 1, so we want to build up some reserves. We’re going to start implementing those projects in the 2020 construction season,” says Witter. “We want to make sure we have that money available so we can get the projects paid for without borrowing.”

 

The three roundabout are the first ever in the county. Two will be constructed on Co. Rd. 13 in Elk River, both funded with federal and state dollars. The third in Princeton is also receiving state money from the MnDOT Freight Program.

 

The county will also be replacing three bridges, the first time they’ve ever taken on three in one year.

 

“The bridges on Co. Rd. 3 and 6 were both designed the last couple years,” says Witter. “We were waiting for some bridge funds to become available.” 

 

The actual beginning of construction season will depend on the weather. Right now there is a lot of snow on the ground. A quick thaw could result in water issues, although none of the projects are in an area conducive to flooding.

 

“It all depends on what’s going on with the weather,” says Witter. “We’ve already bid the project on Co. Rd. 38. The contractor will be ready to go with that one right out of the gate.”

 

The county was also in the process of finishing last year’s Co. Rd. 8 project, but had to stop because of weather. Early snowstorms in November halted the construction season. 

 

Witter says this year’s busy schedule will be a challenge.

 

“With this amount of work, we had to take a look at some strategic scheduling, knowing that our staff and resources are limited,” he says. “We tried to stagger the projects throughout the construction season, so we’ll be busy all year long. Now we’re hopeful for an early spring.”

 

The list of 2019 projects:

 

• Co. Rd. 6 from Co. Rd. 16 to Co. Rd. 3 - pavement resurfacing.

 

• Co. Rd. 9 from Co. Rd. 5 to Co. Rd. 1 - pavement resurfacing.    

 

• Co. Rd. 13 at Co. Rd. 40 and Co. Rd. 13 at the east junction of Co. Rd. 33 - two roundabouts.

 

• Co. Rd 16 from Co. Rd. 11 to Co. Rd. 93 - reconstruction.

 

• Co. Rd. 19 from Hwy. 169 to 104th Street - pavement resurfacing.

 

• Co. Rd. 38 from Hwy. 169 to the east county line - reconstruction.

 

 

• Co. Rd. 81 from Lake Ridge Drive to Co. Rd. 73 - pavement resurfacing.

 

• Co. Rd. 3 over the Elk River - bridge replacement.

 

• Co. Rd. 6 over the Elk River - bridge replacement.

 

• Co. Rd. 79 over County Ditch #1 - culvert (bridge) replacement.