---

   WALKER — County Engineer Darrick Anderson presented the 2024 annual Highway Department report to the Cass County Board Tuesday, June 4.

   Anderson shared a summary of highway maintenance costs, specific maintenance projects, equipment sold and purchased and an update on construction projects in progress and when the projects will be completed. Two projects Anderson highlighted were County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 70 and 37. CSAH 70 was a large undertaking and began back in 2007 when traffic counts increased drastically. After some complications CSAH 37 was paved in the fall of 2024 with significant collaboration and coordination with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

   In 2024, the total regular maintenance cost for County State Aid Highways was $3,961,928. Of that total, $3,079,935, or 77.74%, came from state aid funds. The remaining $881,993, or 22.26%, came from county funds. Anderson pointed out the cost per mile of bituminous ($6,357.19/mile) verse gravel ($13,405.31/mile). With costs being around $7,000 less to maintain bituminous, Anderson mentioned it would make sense to begin paving roads rather than using chloride.   

   Cass County received a total of $1,446,139 in Local Option Sales Tax during 2024 and completed the following projects with that funding: County State Aid Highway 5 pavement reconditioning; County Road 126 reclaim and pave; County Road 116 grading and paving and County Road 103 grading and paving.

   Anderson informed the board of the several grant applications submitted during 2024, to help reduce taxpayer cost on road projects. The county received a grant to assist in preparing an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Grant application to construct two-roundabouts on CSAH 77 at  CSAH 18 and CSAH 70. Also, additional grant writing grants, which were collaborated with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO), to apply for IIJA grants to improve several roads within the LLBO reservation. A Surface Transportation Block Grant in the amount of $1 million was awarded to recondition CSAH 7 east of Longville. Finally several bridge projects were awarded funding and were completed during 2024.

   For the complete Highway Department Annual Report go to www.co.cass.mn.us.

   In other highway business Anderson requested a public hearing be established for the revocation of roads to Otter Tail Peninsula Township during the regular meeting Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. in Otter Tail Peninsula Township. Anderson stated the roads included in the revocation are portions of Ketchum Rd NW, Sunset Beach Rd NW, Sucker Bay Rd NW, and Two Points Rd NW as well as the entirety of Ottertail Peninsula Rd NW and Two Points Ln NW. It was noted each of these roads serve as a local roadway serving only those who live on or near it, with the total mileage to be revocated being approximately 11.11 miles. A motion was made and passed unanimously.

---