Todd Campbell and Rob Ege from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) came before the Schroeder town board on June 12 to discuss short-term and long-term maintenance problems for the portion of Highway 61 that runs through Schroeder.
Short-term problems include three areas that flood when there is a lot of rain or quick snowmelt. One of those areas is at the entrance to the Minnesota Power Taconite Harbor Energy Center and the Fly Ash Road on the upper side of Highway 61. Flooding also occurs at mile marker 74, at both curves where rock has not been removed to create a ditch. Water also spills over the highway at mile marker 76 where two culverts were installed on a driveway but do not work.
Campbell told the board that a safety rail like the one at the Gooseberry Falls bridge will be installed on the Cross River bridge, and that MnDOT will look at making turn lanes for Birch Grove Community School and the Good Neighbor Road in Tofte in the near future.
Local resident Skip Lamb said that the culvert and some ditch work had been done on the Fly Ash road, but it wasn’t enough to correct the flooding. “I think they need two culverts there,” he said.
MnDOT is also looking at lowering the road under the railroad overpass bridge at Taconite Harbor because the 14’1” height is considered low and presents a safety hazard for trucks carrying tall loads. The bridge has been damaged twice in the last year by trucks carrying loads too tall to clear the span. Luckily no one was injured in either accident.
Long-term problems that MnDOT will address within the next five years include replacing bridges that flood and wash out on the Two Island and Caribou rivers.
Ege said the Temperance River bridge and off-road parking lots around the bridge need to be replaced and the portion of Highway 61 from mile marker 77 to the Caribou River needs to be redone because constant flooding occurs when there is a big rain event. He also said that the entrance to the Minnesota Power plant needs to be reconstructed and that section of the highway needs to be improved.
Campbell said bridges at Cutface, Devil Track and Silver Creek rivers would be replaced in the next six to eight years. The bridge at Stewart River is slated for replacement in 2017.
Campbell also said that rumble strips would be put on either side of the centerline. “That’s the direction the state is going. Any highway with a speed limit of 55 mph or higher will get rumble strips on either side of the centerline and on the edges. There’s high mortality when people run off the road. This is one attempt to improve safety with a low cost solution.”
Campbell also said that snowplow drivers would be better able to find the middle of the road with the rumble strips.
Campbell was also asked about installing a fire hall sign for the Schroeder Fire Hall that MnDOT promised to install four years ago, and he said he would get it done soon.
Schroeder Supervisor Roger “Bill” McKeever praised the road crews for the way they have cleared the brush and grass along Highway 61. “They don’t always get thanked when they do a good job. A lot of time their work goes unnoticed, but I want them to know we appreciate their efforts.”
Old logging roads reviewed
County surveyor Wayne Hensche told the board that it has some good options in a dispute involving Zeke’s Road, a former logging road. Consolidated Paper Company once owned Zeke’s Road.
“Consolidated Paper deeded most lands in section 17, except around the gravel pit,” said Hensche.
Those easements to private landholders have caused some of those landholders to block off portions of the road that they feel they now own, said Hensche. Because the public has long driven on the road, it has caused some concern.
“This is a widespread problem in the county. There’s no reason you should have to shoulder the burden alone. Maybe you can join with the county on this issue,” Hensche suggested.
“The public should be guaranteed use if they have been using a road for 40 years or 70 years,” Hensche said, adding that he has long driven the Consolidated logging roads.
In Todd County a summary judgment issued by the court gave local residents the right to travel on a road with the same restrictions that apply to logging roads once owned by Consolidated. “The court did some of the heavy lifting for you,” said Hensche.
Hensche presented the board some options to address the closure of these traditionally used roads.
McKeever said that the board should review the information and discuss it at an upcoming meeting.
Fire chief reports
Fire Chief Phil Bonin said his department didn’t have any calls last month. He said the new truck was at the station and “the hose was ready to go on.” He added that recent fire pumping training went well. He said the instructor told them they had a good truck.
Improvements & events at Father Baraga Cross
Schroeder resident Jim Norvell told the board that the park landscape design should be done this week. The next step is to get the plants, set a date and recruit planters. Norvell told the board he will need help transporting mulch and water and suggested buying lunch for the workers.
Due to an injury to Kyle Martinson, the Eagle Scout project he is working on will be on hold until he heals. The Scouts will cut brush and eliminate the Tansey weeds after he has recuperated.
“The goal is to have the plantings in and the Eagle Scout project completed by the 5th of August,” said Norvell.
Bishop Sirba will rededicate the Father Baraga memorial site on August 5. The last time the site was dedicated was 1932 when the ceremony was performed by Bishop Welch, then the bishop of the Diocese of Duluth.
Norvell said Bishop Sirba would like to publicly thank the community for its help and support. Rededication will be held at 3 p.m., said Norvell.
On September 15 a birthday commemoration for Father Baraga’s birth will be held at the cross. Yul Yost, a Father Baraga historian from Roseville, Minnesota, will host the event. The time will be determined at a later date.
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