Board approves contract for reconstruction of CSAH 28

By Jake Keohen

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners has approved Highway Engineer Darrell Pettis' recommendation to award the contract for reconstruction of CSAH 28 between Montgomery and New Prague to Southern Minnesota Construction Co. Inc. The low bid among five bidders was $6,330,093.87.

Bid opening was held Monday, July 12, with approval given during the board's regular meeting held Tuesday, July 13 at the courthouse in Le Center.

The joint project involves CSAH 28 in Le Sueur County from Highway 13-21 east, joining Rice County CSAH 2 and continuing to Highway 19 at Lonsdale. Rice County awards the contract since it has the greater mileage involved, but both county boards must give approval.

Pettis said there was considerable paper work to be completed on the project, which also includes federal dollars, and he doesn't expect work to begin until at least the end of August.

Le Sueur County's total cost on the project is $2.6 million, with Rice County at $3.6 million.

The Rice County Board was expected to accept the low bid at its meeting that same morning.

Engineer Pettis also recommended awarding the contract for work on the CSAH 28 St. Paul Hill project at Le Sueur to Southern Minnesota Construction.

In other actions or discussions, the board—

• Approved several planning and zoning requests submitted by Kathy Brockway, administrator.

• Tabled a proposal for engineering services on CSAH 15 and 46 in Cleveland from Bolton & Menk pending further review by County Attorney Brent Christian and Bolton & Menk's legal counsel.

• Discussed costs of appealing planning and zoning decisions with John Bruender of Eagle Lake, who has property on Lake Jefferson.

• Accepted a petition from Reynold and William Ruhland and Larry Berninghaus for repairs to County Ditch #35 west of Montgomery.

• Discussed projects at Lake Washington Park with Don Reak of the county parks department.