07-16-2007 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Minutes-July 16, 2007 1 ROAD ADVISORY COMMITTEE JULY 16, 2007-2:00 PM 1. MEETING TO ORDER Commissioner Darrell Vanyo called a meeting of the Road Advisory Committee to order at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 16, 2007, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. Members were present as follows: Vern Bennett, Darrell Vanyo, Ken Pawluk, Keith Berndt, Rich Sieg, Jurgen Suhr, and Scott Saewert. Robyn Sorum, Scott Wagner and Mark Johnson were absent. 2. FUTURE HIGHWAY PROJECTS, Countv HiClhwav 16 discussed Mr. Berndt discussed future highway overlay projects. References were made to a list of overlay projects that should be completed in the upcoming years that included about $13 million in overlay projects. The county tries to preseNe existing pavement by completing an overlay every 15 to 20 years. Asphalt overlay cost is $120,000 to $250,000 per mile depending on width and thickness. This equates to overlaying between 16 and 21 miles per year at a cost of about $3 million per year. Cass County receives approximately $1.3 million in Federal Aid for roads yearly. System wide testing is performed on paved roads every five years to assist in the process of determining which roads will receive an overlay. Mr. Berndt sought direction from the group on the priority of a previously requested project to pave 8 miles of Cass 16 between Davenport and State Highway 18. Alex McDonald and Darrell Schroeder were present concerning Cass County 16. A handout entitled "To Pave or Not to Pave?" was distributed by Mr. Berndt which includes information from studies done in Minnesota and South Dakota regarding criteria used in determining the need for paving gravel roads. A "bare bones" paving project for this stretch would cost in the range of $5 and $6 million. If Cass 16 were given priority, other maintenance overlays would need to be postponed for several years to free up enough funding for the Cass 16 project. The committee was in agreement that the Cass 16 surfacing project should be a priority and added to the list of future projects. 3. CASS COUNTY ROAD 26 SPEED LIMIT CHANGE, Discussed Robert Thompson contacted Mr. Berndt recently regarding Cass County Highway 26. Mr. Thompson had circulated a petition and filed it with the state several years ago in an effort to get Cass 26 added to the state highway system, however; the state declined. Mr. Thompson would like to see the speed limit of Cass 26 changed from 55 miles per hour to 65 as the road is in good driving condition without many hills or CUNes. The committee is concerned that if this request were considered it would create a domino effect. Mr. Pawluk expressed concern for a liability issue should the county raise the speed limit and a fatal accident occur. Mr. Berndt will contact the states attorney for an opinion regarding legal irnplications in raising the speed limit and will review existing design features of the road. 4. 2007 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, Reviewed Mr. Berndt stated most of the 2007 chip seal work is complete. Cass County 10 from Buffalo to Tower City is 99% complete. The contract has been awarded for the Cass 26 overlay. The Perley Bridge contract is scheduled for award by Norman County later this summer. One contract was awarded for the bridge repairs to the Red River Bridges on