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The Cook County Highway Department crews have kept extremely busy responding to washed out roads in the back country. On Thursday, May 12 the county issued a no travel advisory for Irish Creek Forestry Road due to a washout one half-mile past the Irish Creek Bridge.
Later the same day the announcement came that Moose Valley Road (CR 71) was closed at Carlson Creek due to heavy flooding.
“The road is impassable at this time,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “We’re working on either repairing the road or opening up Esther Lake Road to provide access. We will issue updates as information becomes available.”
The road is part of the Irish Creek Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD). Per MN Statute §375B, the highway department is tasked with administering the maintenance contract for this and all other SGSDs in Cook County.
The day before, May 11, the Highway Department issued a no travel advisory for CR 60 and upper CSAH 14 due to flooding and culvert washouts. “There are multiple culvert washouts on both roads that are unsafe,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “Additionally, there is water over the road on CSAH 14 near the junction with CR 60 that has made the road impassable.” Dix stated that crews were out working to fix the washouts. The department will issue updates as repairs are made.
On May 13, the county highway department reported that the Moose Valley Road (CR 71) was open. However, sections of two county roads, the Arrowhead Trail (CSAH 16) and Devil Track Road (CR 57), remain closed. CSAH 16 is closed north of Irish Creek Forestry Road. CR 57 remains closed west of Devil Track Forest Service Campground. “These two sections of road remain closed due to ongoing water issues,” Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix stated. “Unfortunately, the CR 57 detour is also closed because Bally Creek Road [FR 158] is under water.” Highway department crews were busy through the weekend.
On Monday, May 16 the county highway department reported that “warm, dry weather has helped county road conditions, but CR 57 remains closed west of the Devil Track Forest Service Campground. Significant water remains on the roadway on Arrowhead Trail (CSAH 16) at McFarland Lake and on North Gunflint Lake Road (CR 46) at Cross River.
“Water is receding, and we hope to reopen CR 57 soon,” Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix said. “The east end of the flooded area remains saturated and may not be passable. The good news is that the Bally Creek Road detour to The Grade is open again.”
“Individuals wanting updates on Forestry or Forest Services roads should contact the local MN Department of Natural Resources or US Forest Service office, respectively.”
Given the rising waters and rapidly changing road conditions, motorists are encouraged to limit travel and to be prepared for impassable conditions countywide.
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