Townships compete for transportation grants

The Carlton County board of commissioners gave its blessing Tuesday, Feb. 22 for two township grant projects that will compete for limited transportation funding from an annual Legislature initiative for Greater Minnesota. County engineer JinYeene Neumann requested the board’s support at the adjourned session of the county board Monday, Feb. 22.

Almost all the Carlton County townships inquired into the possibility of funding needed township road projects, but the highway department staff explained that the competition throughout the state was strong and chances of success were not good. A proposal must show that the particular project is important to the traffic and trade needs of the local area, and has an impact on the region served.

The townships of Moose Lake and Barnum have requested funding for the Aspen Road, bordering each township line, for a rebuild of 2.5 miles and an application of pavement. Aspen Road runs north and south, connecting CSAH 6 and Old Highway 61. The pavement and road base have been poor for years.

Eagle Township is requesting funding to rebuild the roadbed and pave the Kingsley Road. This road provides partial access to the north side of Eagle Lake and would also provide a detour route for Highway 73 traffic when work is being done on that thoroughfare.