Dunn County engineering staff told the Highway Committee on May 14 that four firms submitted qualifications to design the next phase of County Road D, from Manor Town Hall to the high bridge near Manor Lake, and that CBS Squared scored highest in a qualifications-based selection.

Engineering staff said the scoring criteria included firm profile, qualifications, technical approach and cost (cost carried 30 percent of the evaluation). CBS Squared received the top rank (85.42 out of 100) and its proposed fee was below the county’s rough design estimate of $150,000, staff said.

The committee discussed possible work items the design must consider: shoulder widening, sight-distance improvements at intersections, guardrail, culvert or small bridge replacement and potential rock excavation in some segments, all of which can affect cost. Staff emphasized that real-estate acquisitions are likely; they anticipate some property takings for widening and safety improvements and said real-estate needs will be part of the design phase.

A motion to accept CBS Squared for the Phase 2 design was made and seconded; the committee approved the selection by voice vote.

Staff projected the design work to begin this year with a construction target of 2027, subject to funding and real-estate clearances. The committee asked staff to include safety-plan recommendations where appropriate and to coordinate early with landowners on right-of-way needs.