Staff photo by Fritz Busch Kuester’s Pond, swollen by heavy rain this spring and summer, continues to flow over Nicollet County Road 12, several miles northwest of Courtland. It is one of several sites being evaluated by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel this week.

NICOLLET COUNTY — A rural Courtland man voiced concerns about Nicollet County Road 12 to the Nicollet County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, July 24.

Robert Hulke urged commissioners to pursue any avenues to get the road back open.

Nicollet County Emergency Management Director Justin Block said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel will be in Nicollet County on Friday, July 27 to meet and look at damage for disaster relief funds.

Block said assistance has been applied for 661st Avenue, Timber Lane, Kerns Drive, Old River Bluff Road, the City of North Mankato sewer line collapse, east of 7-Mile Park and County Road 12. Total estimated damages, not including CR 12 are $464,000.

In addition, FEMA is considering damage from June 15 to the first week of July and is not looking at damage that happened prior to June 15.

Nicollet County Public Works Director Seth Greenwood said if FEMA money is granted, he is not certain pumping will be eligible for funding. The federal agency may want to include money to raise the road as a permanent solution.

Greenwood said Braun Intertec is completing soil borings in the flooded area. In addition, he is working with Stonebrook Engineering on a cost estimate to raise the road.

Hulke asked if areas seeking assistance are prioritized. Block said they are not.

Commissioners approved:

• A Conditional Use Permit for Joseph Domeier and Pamela Becker/Wanda Domeier to allow a temporary dwelling for farm help in Courtland Township.

• A $74,900 quote from Greystone Construction for the Nicollet salt shed project. It was the only quote received.

• Awarding the 2018 aggregate materials project to Ferguson Brothers Excavating, Inc. for $136,580.

• Awarding the 2018 highway striping project to Traffic Marking Service, Inc. for $184,416.92.

• Erickson Engineering’s proposal to replace Bridge #5794, located on CSAH 21, just east of the Fort Ridgely State Park entrance. The existing 1937 bridge is listed as structurally deficient.

The firm said bridge options include replacement of three lines of fox culverts or a single-span, pre-stressed, concrete beam bridge. Replacement cost if fairly close between the two options. The bridge option allows for better tree and aggregate debris passage. In addition, bridge longevity is typically longer than box culverts.

Bridge construction is anticipated in 2019 and would take about four months to complete.