Next year will see more smart highway projects happening throughout Becker County – SMART funded projects that is.
Earlier this year, the county approved a half-cent sale tax, which would be used for transportation upgrades throughout the county. The Safe, Multi-Modal, Active, Responsible Transportation tax has provided funds for improvements to the Otto Zeck Road, the intersection of County Roads 6 and 11 and the future Washington Avenue project to name a few.
The tax must be revisited each year and approved for the following year. Commissioners approved the tax for 2015, which is estimated to generate about $3 million.
County Engineer Jim Olson presented several options for the 2015 funds, but the projects can always change throughout the year, too.
A few he presented include resurfacing sections of County Roads 33, 36, 43, 45 and 47. Others include a seal on County Road 118 and bituminous surfacing on County Roads 48 and 103.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some of these projects will also be partially paid for with state funds.
Olson said that depending on what the commissioners decide on the Washington Avenue project extension to Willow Street, the county would have to designate more funds for that.
About $1.5 million was already designated for the original two blocks, but with the extension, he said it would need to be at least $2.6 million. Other projects could be delayed to pay for the Washington Avenue project if the board desires, he added.
Detroit Lakes City Council Alderman Ron Zeman spoke on behalf of the city, asking the county to renew the SMART tax and presenting a few roads the city would like to see funding for as well.
Those streets included West Lake Drive from Washington Avenue to County Road 6, West Long Lake Parkway to connect County Road 6 to Highway 10, part of the Heartland Trail spur, Dunton Locks Trail, Richwood Road Trail and construction of a trail from Dunton Locks Park to Long Lake Park.
“This will benefit people both outside and inside the county,” Zeman said of the tax and the projects it can fund.
“I love trails, but we need to concentrate on county roads,” county resident Gerry Schram said. “That’s what government is for, roads. Everything else is just nice.”
“We have a lot of shortfalls on county roads … then we look at recreation,” Commissioner Barry Nelson said, adding that funding through avenues like the Legacy Fund is geared more toward recreation.
ADVERTISEMENT
The county voted in favor of continuing the SMART tax another year, but what projects it would fund were not set.
Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield .
