BLUE EARTH– During the board meeting on Tuesday, the Faribault County Commissioners received an update on the timetable for the county’s road and bridge construction projects from interim county highway engineer Mark Daly.

Before proceeding with his report, Daly introduced the board to new county highway engineer, April Wellman.

Wellman told the board she was excited to have been hired by the county.

“My husband and I are originally from Fairmont and are happy to be back in the area and closer to our son’s grandparents,” she said. “We were in the Duluth area prior to moving back to this area.”

Daly continued with his report.

“The anticipated completion date for County Road 11, CR 17 and CR 23 is July 26,” Daly reported. “The completion date for CR 51, which runs through the city of Elmore, is Nov. 2.”

Daly shared that work on CR 23 was scheduled to begin this week, weather permitting.

“Construction will move to CR 17 when CR 23 is done,” Daly said. “When CR 17 is finished, then construction on CR 11 will begin.”

As for bridge work, Daly informed the County Board that Bridge No. 9967, located on CR 1, should see construction begin on May 6, while April 19 is the start date for Bridge No. 92804 which is located on CR 2 near Kiester.

“It should take about two weeks to complete each bridge project,” he commented. “That includes removing the old bridge, preparing the base and installing the double-box culvert.”

Daly explained that CR 17, south of Frost to the Iowa border, will be reconstructed next year.

“We are receiving federal dollars for that project which means all of the work has to be done in the same year,” Daly explained. “In other words, we will not be removing the old blacktop this year and paving it next year. It will all be done in the same year.”

Daly also shared the news that the new six-wheel grader, which was ordered and approved two years ago, is supposed to arrive later this month.

“It is coming out of Ziegler Caterpillar in Mankato,” Daly said.

The board also:

— Approved the training request of Kim Poole of the County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office to attend the 2024 County Elections Administration Conference.

— Voted to approve the request of Taylor Doering of the Public Works Department to attend the MCEA (Minnesota County Engineers Association) Summer Conference.

— Approved the requests of Briar Bonin, Emily Bonin and Chris Albers of the Sheriff’s Department to attend the PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Specialized Investigations Training Course.

— Approved the request of Tom Elmer of the Sheriff’s Department to attend the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Deputy Boating School/Basic Boating Safety Enforcement School.