Highway committee

agrees to wait on TH 4,

CSAH 22 changes

NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners will hear a presentation on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) 10-year Capital Highway Investment Plan (CHIP) at about 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 15.

MnDOT District 7 personnel will highlight Brown County projects over the next decade and discuss other topics. There will be time for questions after the presentation, according to the meeting agenda.

According to presentation material, most highways are in good ride quality.

Fair ride quality roads include TH 4 from Sleepy Eye to TH 68, south of Sleepy Eye for about six miles and from TH 30 to St. James and from TH 60 to I-90, on TH 257 from Hanska to TH 15, TH 22 from Gaylord through New Auburn and TH 19 east of Gaylord to near Henderson.

Poor ride quality was listed on TH 4 south of Godahl to TH 30 and on TH 30 from Darfur to U.S. 71.

Future area projects include TH 4 south of Sleepy Eye to St. James in 2024, TH 60 in and around Lake Crystal in 2025 and TH 68 from TH 15 to TH 60 in 2031. The Sleepy Eye to St. James project includes road resurfacing, bridge replacement and culvert repair.

Other 2024 District 7 projects include building a roundabout in New Ulm at the intersection of Highway 14 and Highland Avenue and replacing a box culvert under TH 19 just east of Winthrop and reconstructing a short section of pavement.

According to Brown County Highway Committee meeting minutes, it was agreed to wait and see if MnDOT changes improve road safety before more changes are made at the TH 4 and CSAH 22 intersection south of Sleepy Eye.

A resident suggested to Commissioner Brian Braun that the CSAH 22 approaches to TH 4 be modified to meet TH 4 at a 90-degree angle to improve safety. An aerial intersection photo was reviewed showing the skewed intersection.

Making the intersection square on the east side would not be as significant a change as the west side, where an S curve would need to be installed to line up approaches.

The county board meeting begins at 9 a.m., Aug. 15 in the courthouse commissioner’s room.