Bridge replacements that are expected to cause road closures around the Ray and Northome areas had Koochiching County commissioners concerned that access to recreational land could be restricted during hunting season.
The board Tuesday agreed to accept a bid of $350,019 from Gladen Construction Inc. to replace bridges on County State Aid Highway 6 – the Pinetop Road – near Northome, and Town Road 11 – the Finn Road – near Ray.
County Engineer Joe Sutherland said while the details on exact dates of road closures will be determined during a pre-construction meeting, he estimates the work will begin in October with a Nov. 1 end date.
“We think the contractor will have to close a portion of CSAH 6 for five working days, and it will require a 15-16-mile detour to Highway 71,” Sutherland told commissioners.
Commissioner Wayne Skoe said he thought about four landowners – not necessarily residents – would be impacted by a possible detour.
On Town Road 11, which is west of Ray and on the north side of Highway 217, Sutherland said the bridge replacement wouldn’t require a detour, but simply a road closure.
“There are no homes back there, just recreational property,” he said. “Nonetheless, we’ll certainly advertise and make property owners aware of what is happening.”
A portion of the project’s price tag, according to Sutherland, comes from “considerable funding from the state.”
He said state bonding covers $225,000 of the cost, $129,000 will draw from the county’s CSAH account and the remaining $10,000 will come through a local levy.
Commissioner Brian McBride said he realized replacing the bridges is necessary, but expressed concern about the time of year construction would take place.
“I do have concerns about October being hunting season,” he said. “The sooner the better with getting this done.”
Sutherland assured commissioners that keeping construction projects away from hunting season would be considered in the future.
