Big Lake Road speed limit could change

Carlton County will petition the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a speed limit of 45 mph on Big Lake Road from Pinewood Drive to just past Brevator Road and the tribal center. The tribal council for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa had requested the speed be set at 35 mph on the newly repaved section of road.

County highway engineer JinYeene Neumann told the board of commissioners at its regular meeting Aug. 10 that a MnDOT speed study done earlier in the year supported a 55-mph speed limit. Neumann said she is using engineering discretion to request a lower speed and encouraged the board to ask the state to make the change.

In other meeting news:

• The board set a public hearing for Sept. 27 regarding the planned closure of the Kettle River garage. The 4:30 p.m. meeting at the transportation building will likely draw a crowd. An earlier meeting at the Split Rock Town Hall drew more than 20 people with none in favor of closing the garage.

Neumann was unable to attend the previous meeting but has continued to call for the closure because its services are now performed through the new Barnum garage. It’s estimated that closing the Kettle River facility would save $15,000 a year.

Residents in the southwest corner of Carlton County remain unconvinced. Kalevala Township board chairman John Gran said “the loss of the Kettle River garage will be a loss of service. Our neighborhood will lose out again for a service we depend on if this happens.”

Split Rock Township resident Bob Hattenberger said the savings number does not add up but, even if it does, the $15,000 is a small price to pay to cover the needs of four townships and Kettle River.

• The county board gave approval for a communications tower on Garthus Road in Silver Brook Township upon a recommendation from the planning commission. The tower is expected to enhance cell phone service in the area and support the federal FirstNet program, which provides wireless broadband service to emergency responders.

Residents said they were wary of issues such as reduced property values, blinking lights, tower construction, and the location on property not commercially zoned.

Commissioner Mark Thell abstained from the vote. He said he has been working with the tower company to see if fiber connections can be made to area homes.