[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6136553,"mediaKeyId","5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657","parentId",5667245,"title","Dunn County highway staff report equipment shortages, chip spreader crash and multiple road projects; County Road D mobilizes next week","audioSeconds",1701,"startMs",369000,"endMs",2070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657&start=369&end=2070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657/thumbnail_369000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6136553/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-highway-staff-report-equipment-shortages-chip-spreader-crash-and-multiple-road-projects-County-Road-D-mobilizes-next-week","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136553-3ba4c4cf1d24796cb635615221de324c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398789&Signature=CEsXmxyp9oqdE3GzQWuQiSnezC6IgZa4DKPDt~mg5ONd-Vn0LW92LShmaM1wncIIT8~b7sR53h~zZxmM0iQZw1N0tr4RC96pJU3fByHBMsfG-plAuSnMqvdVazKsGfULjxPjYKt9TWGg2e6i3K5YeBgPxZGQYnBBf3DLyOBu6C~x9W2ub~12W3Xl~ody8hHwJN7itLB5cCIDN7qqJQLikk6FdMj35Jkr57JtOr43LbCWoTqDAmAlbGH9DtHkTw0R~nUY~-fRJ~iTWccivB18R9rjFfiCCiEPowbX7vmv-f4mie--nMYzosAX83peZ~3tPn2s9UGTDp0cfmjBSNdWGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dunn County, Wisconsin","date","2025-08-15T00:00:00Z","article","Highway operations staff told the Dunn County Highway Committee they are managing a heavy construction season while coping with recent equipment incidents and inventory shortfalls.
Staff reported an incident during seal-coating when a semi-tractor trailer struck a chip spreader operated by a contractor on a state job. Nobody was injured, staff said, but the spreader was damaged and may be a total loss. County staff submitted a claim to their insurer; the contractor (Saint Croix) also submitted a claim. A state patrol investigation occurred and, based on information available at the meeting, staff said it did not indicate county negligence.
Committee members expressed concern about equipment availability and long lead times. Staff said they are short one 100-horse tractor and have two other tractors down for repairs, which has delayed mowing operations. They reported trading in skid steers and receiving parts of tri-axle truck equipment, but a new loader build date was delayed until late October with approximately two weeks estimated from build to delivery once production begins; staff said the vendor proposed a loaner motor in the interim but details were pending.
Engineering staff provided project updates: County Road D (from Highway 25 to the town of Tanger) is tentatively scheduled to start next week with message boards posted in advance; County Road S and County Road Y projects were completed but came in over budget (staff cited overrun amounts of roughly $40,000 and $70,000 for specific projects, and said full final costs are still being reconciled). County Road B (various segments) and other projects such as County Road G and County Road J were reported as complete or near completion; County Road C assessment revealed substantially greater work needed than budgeted due to steep cross slope and shoulder failures and staff estimated the proper fix could cost significantly more than the current allocation.
Staff also described an in-place recycling/preservation method they observed on a state project (described as a heated asphalt reapplication process using multiple semi trucks and specialized equipment) and said it can be cost-effective where existing pavement thickness meets the method's requirements.
Committee members discussed procurement strategies, stressing the need to specify realistic delivery windows in contracts and suggested prioritizing locally-available equipment when delays could jeopardize operations.
Staff said fall safety training is scheduled for October 7 and that participation is required for employees, and that they will keep monitoring equipment repair and delivery schedules to manage the fall and upcoming winter season.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dunn County Highway Committee Meeting - 08/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Highway operations staff reported a chip spreader collision during seal-coating, ongoing equipment shortages including tractors and a delayed loader delivery, and provided project status updates including County Road D work starting next week and several recently completed roads with some over-budget totals.","taxTitle","taxId",53943,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6136558,"Dunn County committee awards 2026 plow-truck fabrications to Universal; delivery and warranty concerns raised",883,4047000,4930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657&start=4047&end=4930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657/thumbnail_4047000.jpg","/articles/6136558/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-committee-awards-2026-plow-truck-fabrications-to-Universal-delivery-and-warranty-concerns-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136558-e2a7a5fbde91d1e455aad14b65ee49d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398789&Signature=DUNCFiXEk4tN81WOCx6gRfj-OT0-pLt0O6sjHKuiyWcwhsJfGRL1R2lo0VW6Y61jUJxR1XesHBV-XrcGWMnBtUwbgM3kqYmY~AMhOh-qt5oxs8EboQD3pBWQafE3Wz8LIGUkC8zjBACN~dMvA7sWMFxzt1jUqrasodJ2Uj~Kzy9cmryCo3e~J-5B0~Clw8eTk81Aw37LBs1Bn3d6k-vQORYmgqecj5nOoRGm7p5x2KzSE3z3YUEc9Vk0DaOT1~K~OEwx7-bq1zK-F7YOwYckWkEPQrh4~7l9sZOg3dqp-~ZdRJIWttW6cVCGkNulMPzTkkETh7ZmFpglKxfBRgKorA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunn County Highway Committee voted to award fabrication of two tandem-axle and one tri-axle highway trucks to Universal Truck Equipment, selecting the vendor after comparing bids and option prices.
Committee members and staff discussed that chassis and fabrication lead times remain long; vendors estimated chassis availability this year with fabrication timelines reaching 320 to 420 days. Staff said the three chassis for the 2026 program are expected to arrive this year but will not be paid for until the 2026 budget year. The committee approved Universal's proposals including selected options: an extra brine tank on the tandem units, liners and a high-lift tailgate on the tri-axle to reduce material sticking and prolong service life.
Committee members repeatedly stressed the need for stronger delivery assurances and penalties for late delivery, noting pandemic-era scheduling changes relaxed guaranteed delivery terms. Staff said contract negotiations can include delivery clauses and that if the county and vendor cannot reach agreeable contract terms the committee can return to other bidders.
Members also discussed trade-offs between up-front option costs and long-term operating or repair costs: liners and better tailgates would increase upfront costs but reduce maintenance and improve material handling. Staff recommended Universal based on price and the vendor's in-house fabrication capabilities.
A motion to accept Universal's bids with the agreed options was made and seconded; the committee approved the award by voice vote.
Staff will proceed to negotiate final contract terms with the selected vendor and return to the committee if contract negotiations require substantive changes.","The Highway Committee approved Universal Truck Equipment to fabricate two tandem-axle units and one tri-axle unit for 2026 despite concerns about long lead times, options costs and contract terms; members discussed penalties, delivery guarantees and options to reduce future supply risks.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6136562,"Dunn County plans application for Cedar Falls bridge replacement after state lists it for bridge program",126,4992000,5118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657&start=4992&end=5118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657/thumbnail_4992000.jpg","/articles/6136562/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-plans-application-for-Cedar-Falls-bridge-replacement-after-state-lists-it-for-bridge-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136562-ccd82454e8c29ef31bd455418665bb1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398789&Signature=BNFHemUJNZ1B~Ye2IkCduiZx4i0mjUpJPOtEhgrGTYda5O6opOcDExTiDlLMtZnum~BnTvkbt~auvagB~IJaeoTKbkmdLBuSfLKOhcrYoTx5W1MdXnkZ08ihpcjgsDhszwD6r9vkIC1n6YbGsaLfi5LDPAgIrw5sgai1QRgbyolxw4bcrt4VnIy7g0sgS8NVt4WoYyL0xXSuPKOmRNSZ~Q39RFOY0qy8h-ZtBb4bLf8bAiBPZ6ydONaSzEbbJXJRbx1iKWkfRQCjflSM1TqFTNcmxcoxIYyqohTJTnCrwC4mR8Bmm9UkExy1TWE8auTrhUnm6G34s-Vr7ybiFQ-iKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dunn County highway staff told the county highway committee that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation placed the Cedar Falls Bridge on the list of bridges that may qualify for replacement or rehabilitation under the DOT's 2026–2031 bridge program. Staff said they will prepare and submit an application before the program deadline.
Highway engineering staff described the Cedar Falls Bridge as an older structure built in 1936 and called it an \"obsolete\" design that uses gusset plates as a controlling element. Staff emphasized the listing does not guarantee funding; the county must submit an application and the state will select projects based on available funding. Staff said the DOT program operates as an 80/20 funding split for many projects and noted the program has caps; any costs above the state cap would be the county's responsibility.
Because of the bridge's complexity, county staff said they will solicit a consultant to prepare the application and, if the project is approved, to perform the design work. Staff could not estimate a final construction cost at the committee meeting; they said estimates will range widely depending on the design and unknowns and that a replacement could be roughly in the low millions or higher. Staff said they expected the project would likely be scheduled near the end of the 2026'031 program window, perhaps 2030''131, but cautioned that timeline and funding are not guaranteed.
Committee members asked whether a new bridge would be wider or include a bike trail; staff said DOT design standards control width and the county would be responsible for any additional amenities such as a multiuse trail.
Staff also provided an update on the county's High Bridge: it remains posted at 20 tons and will receive an annual inspection using a state-provided snooper truck; the state agreed to allow the inspection vehicle on the bridge but the road will be closed to traffic during the inspection.
The committee directed staff to prepare the DOT application and, if needed, to solicit consultant proposals to complete the application and later design work.","The county will prepare an application to the Wisconsin DOT bridge replacement program for the Cedar Falls Bridge, which staff said was built in 1936 and is considered obsolete; the project would likely fall late in the 2026–2031 program and could require multi-million-dollar local matches.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6136567,"Dunn County committee adopts 2026 highway budget after discussion of borrowing and road backlog",2314,4994000,7308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657&start=4994&end=7308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667245-9181a21cead3e6b05e286c3469867657/thumbnail_4994000.jpg","/articles/6136567/Dunn-County/Wisconsin/Dunn-County-committee-adopts-2026-highway-budget-after-discussion-of-borrowing-and-road-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136567-bd5414bac59781a9bb05b714b6d14008/orig.mp4?Expires=1770398789&Signature=mQ2~Brzgifk6SZ1yMdmy3h0Grr-kQFLbPsh9LFxGJhLo8UeX093gsTHd3oIA61BOR-Y3uzPoD0a644tVzgxnnazayy5ofAk1C1uUXyoMwxi9JWa9MB671scpWdQzVdBFxCO-59ezCdNjqZgJDxW7n4-IN9deemA1EJQVniwoUqPf0pSjbAIZq7XYouPoFqQWEqBAJH1Z2S4WaSuti3iXwPNLsiYgCq2dVQwsL1glmWpUBnrQBVcRNeNIfQewfgMheajL4ORa3yeBTTEUq1Qsz~oFhQ-KQQPN7kg6SzX09YWkXEK-G9Xhh0YF-BiROc2IAVGrY1hRRTdWYTiE5Jq1Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dunn County Highway Committee approved the proposed 2026 highway budget after a presentation showing the county must continue borrowing to meet construction needs and maintain its extensive road network.
The committee voted to adopt the budget after a discussion of revenue sources, borrowing and program priorities; the budget proposal totals about $15.06 million, comparable to the 2025 figure, with a county construction and maintenance program centered on roughly $2.6 million of core county work.
Committee members and highway staff said the county faces a structural mismatch between miles of roads to maintain and available levy and state funds. Highway staff noted Dunn County ranks about 59th of 72 Wisconsin counties on a statewide pavement condition index derived from biennial PACE ratings and that the county has the eighth-most miles of county roads in the state. Staff said maintaining the current condition would require work on roughly 20 miles of county roads per year; improving conditions would require 30–35 miles per year, which would necessitate additional borrowing or levy increases.
Highway staff outlined revenue sources for the county road fund, including the state General Transportation Aids (GTA), motor vehicle registration fees and federal/state program grants. The presentation showed the county used about $3.0 million of borrowing in 2025 in the highway fund and discussed continuing to use borrowing to cover large projects and to preserve fund balance for future bridge work.
Committee members pressed on options to manage procurement delays, equipment shortages and project overruns that increase pressure on the fund. Staff confirmed some recent projects came in over budget (examples included County Road S and County Road Y), which will require adjustments and could dig into the fund balance if the pattern continues.
The committee chair made the motion to approve the 2026 highway budget; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.
The committee scheduled a budget workshop and directed staff to continue refining project lists, explore competitive grant options such as STP and ARIP, and return with more detailed program-level options to balance services and levy constraints.
The committee will reconvene at its next regular meeting to review refined priorities and grant application plans.","The Dunn County Highway Committee approved a proposed 2026 highway budget that keeps overall spending near 2025 levels while highlighting borrowing needs and an extensive road backlog that leaves the county in the lower quartile for pavement condition in Wisconsin.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dunn County highway staff report equipment shortages, chip spreader crash and multiple road projects; County Road D mobilizes next week

Dunn County committee awards 2026 plow-truck fabrications to Universal; delivery and warranty concerns raised

Dunn County plans application for Cedar Falls bridge replacement after state lists it for bridge program

Dunn County committee adopts 2026 highway budget after discussion of borrowing and road backlog