NEW ULM — The Brown County Highway Department’s cold in-place recycling (CIR) program is scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 6.

Cold in-place recycling involves milling an existing asphalt surface, mixing it with additives, and reusing it to create a new pavement layer. This method reduces the need for new materials and minimizes waste.

Roads will be closed to through traffic for an estimated 12 working days, according to Brown County Highway Engineer Andrew Lang.

The tentative order of roads to be recycled are CSAH 12 between TH 14 and CSAH 29, CSAH 4 from TH 14 to the north county line, CSAH 3 from the south county line to CSAH 23, CSAH 2 from CSAH 23 to TH 14, and CSAH 23 from CSAH 2 to CSAH 3.

Bituminous paving should follow the same order with CSAH 4 (Range Road in Springfield) being the final project with milling and overlay. Remaining contract work including paving, shouldering and striping is estimated to be done by mid-November.

“This contract is starting later than anticipated due to the large amount of rain delays on our CSAH 3 grading project,” said Lang. “With harvest ramping up, there will be increased farm traffic within closed project limits. I am hopeful we can all work together in coordinating access with minimal frustration, time delays and most importantly safety for everyone.”

Lang said there may be some pinch points when moving larger farm equipment in and out of fields and large construction equipment.

“Any resident, business, or farmer that is within project limits will have access to their property. The public is urged to use caution in construction zones,” Lang said.