Thomson Township discusses two-lane Highway 61

With County State Aid Highway 61 in rough shape between Scanlon and Esko, Carlton County officials would like to make some dramatic changes.

A proposed project would transform the highway from a divided four-lane into a two-lane road with a center turn lane and a recreational multiuse trail along one side of the highway.

County engineer JinYeene Neumann told the Thomson Township board of supervisors the current pavement on 61 is in desperate need of repair and the structure under the road is failing. When the county began discussion about repairs, Esko and Thomson Township residents provided ideas for a potential reconstruction.

The township board decided to send a letter of support and continue to discuss the project at its regular meeting last week.

Joe Jurewicz, a representative for Thomson Township’s engineering firm, AE2S, told the board the project would be a big change for the community, but is justified.

Reconfiguring the highway would be more cost-effective for maintenance of the road, offers safety enhancements with the addition of a turn lane, and would give the community a new multiuse trail.

The trail would run alongside the reconstructed highway and could potentially connect to the Munger Trail. Community members have been asking for more trails since the comprehensive plan was completed in 1999, board members said.

The project plan is in early stages, with this being one of the first discussions the board has had about it. Carlton County sent an application for appropriation, along with the Thomson Township’s letter of support, to Sen. Tina Smith’s office May 21.

The road between Esko and Scanlon dates back to 1900, although a through-route to Scanlon wasn’t possible until a bridge was built in 1924, the same year the road was first paved. It was referred to as Scanlon Road, then State Highway 61 and then U.S. 61.

In the late 1940s, the road was widened to four lanes as it was part of a now busy artery between the Twin Ports and the Twin Cities.

Interstate 35 was finished through the township in 1974, the last Minnesota stretch of the interstate completed. Highway 61 came under state and county jurisdiction after that.

Dog park discussion

After a community member proposed the idea of a dog park to the board at their last meeting May 6, there was discussion of creating one on a tax-forfeited plot available to the township.

Thomson Township clerk/treasurer Rhonda Peleski presented the board with dimensions and images of those plots during the May 20 meeting.

Board member Jurewicz and Logan Saline, the assistant public works supervisor for the township, determined that none of the plots are suitable for the dog park.

The board will continue to discuss potential areas that could be used.

In other matters Thursday:

• Although the parking lot is not yet completed at Northridge Park, it is still open to the public for the summer. According to Saline, the parking lot should be completed by July 1. Drivers should continue to park along the road and walk into the park until the lot is finished.

• Since Gov. Walz lifted the mask mandate on May 14, the board decided to reopen township offices to the public beginning May 24.

• With things beginning to return to normal, board meetings will begin to return to normal as well, with seating being rearranged and the public being invited back into the building. The board’s next meeting is set for June 3.