Faribault County Commissioners Discuss Land Sale, MnDOT Project Updates
Faribault County, MN – The Faribault County Board of Commissioners addressed a pending land sale and received a comprehensive update on regional transportation projects during their recent meeting, signaling potential changes and improvements to infrastructure across the county and District 7.
The Board approved the sale of forfeited properties, setting an auction date for November 9th. Properties will be listed at their estimated market value, ensuring a fair return for the county. This process is a routine measure to manage county-owned land and return it to productive use. The county currently holds 17 forfeited properties, a figure that fluctuates based on tax forfeiture proceedings.
Following the land sale discussion, representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) District 7 presented an overview of current and planned transportation initiatives impacting Faribault County. District 7 encompasses 13 counties, maintaining over 3,200 lane miles, 475 bridges, and more than 9,700 culverts, serving a population exceeding 290,000 – roughly 5% of Minnesota’s total population.
Principal Transportation Planner Angie Piltaver detailed the district’s 10-year funding outlook. While the next four years are fully funded, the subsequent six years remain in the planning phase and are subject to potential project adjustments based on funding availability. MnDOT’s ten-year plan is updated biennially, reflecting changing priorities and budgetary constraints.
Several key projects are slated for Faribault County. Between 2030 and 2035, work is planned on the ten bridges spanning Interstate 90 within the county. This will likely include repairs to approach panels and guardrails, as well as potential overlay work on the bridge decks themselves. Bridge maintenance is a continuous process, with inspections occurring every two years to assess structural integrity.
A significant upcoming project is the Highway 22/109 reconstruction in Wells, with bids scheduled to be opened in October. This project is expected to improve traffic flow and safety in the area.
Further ahead, the reconstruction of Highway 169 through Elmore is planned for 2028. Piltaver cautioned that the project will necessitate two detours: a five-ton weight limit detour and a ten-ton detour for larger trucks, with the five-ton route being shorter in distance. mndot typically coordinates detour routes with local authorities to minimize disruption.
The Board also inquired about the timeline for improvements to Highway 22 from Wells south to the Iowa border. While currently scheduled for 2029, MnDOT is proactively preparing the project for potential acceleration. Piltaver explained that “putting the pieces in place” means preliminary engineering and right-of-way acquisition are underway,allowing for construction to begin as early as next summer if additional funding becomes available. This proactive approach demonstrates MnDOT’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs.
Residents can stay informed about District 7 projects by visiting mmdot.gov/d7/projects.
faribault County public Works Director/Engineer April Wellman provided a local update, reporting the completion of seal coating throughout the county. Bids are currently being reviewed for repairs to the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 12 bridge. Wellman also noted the removal of Canadian Pacific railroad tracks on the spur line along CSAH 60 in Wells on July 23rd, and ongoing work on CSAH 58 and CSAH 64. Construction on CSAH 56 in Bricelyn is scheduled to begin in August. CSAH routes are vital for local connectivity and agricultural transport.