BROOKINGS Theres bad news for residents who want an improved version of 214th Street between Aurora and Brookings: Theres little chance of state or federal grant funding at this point for the project, which, if it remains on track, is expected to cost millions of dollars.
Brookings County Commission Chairman Larry Jensen relayed the news from an Oct. 10 funding workshop with engineering firms including Banner Associates of Brookings and HDR Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska at Tuesday mornings meeting.
As of right now, we didnt get very good news on funding for the project to move forward for a grant, Jensen said. Our chances are pretty slim because of the low traffic. Economic impact was another factor. Safety concerns we only have a few safety concerns, but theres no real crash data out there to support a cause. Theres other options to get to Brookings (as well). Those all kind of work against us in applying for a grant.
A number of options for that 3-mile stretch of gravel road specifically, from its intersection with 34th Avenue east to its intersection with South Broadway Avenue in Aurora exist, with a price ranging from $5.5 million to $22.2 million, per previous reporting in the Brookings Register. In addition to two, 12-foot paved lanes, options include road shoulders ranging from 6 to 8 feet in width, along with a shared-use path for non-motorized traffic.
That said, Brookings County meets few, if any, of the benchmarks that would improve its odds of acquiring those dollars if it were to apply for funding, which it hasnt since the workshop was only informational. Furthermore, it doesnt help that the wells are more or less spoken for in terms of funding availability even if the county met or surpassed more of the benchmarks.
If thats not enough of a downer, Jensen pointed out that the county would be competing with other cities, DOTs and state projects during the application process. One example he cited was Sioux Falls, which has several projects its trying to get funds for, and it didnt make the list despite having benchmarks that were more favorable than the 214th Street project.
Its an uphill battle on (getting) funding, he said. We need to decide which direction we want to go. Id suggest maybe our next meeting, if Highway Superintendent Brian (Gustad) can bring us some recommendations or options that we can do out there to improve safety, improve the roadway.
Jensen further noted that commissioners were told to document everything, including maintenance costs. It was also suggested that further traffic counts be done as well. All of this could improve Brookings Countys chances for grant funds in the years ahead.
Projected into the future, the traffic will increase out there as Aurora grows, Jensen said. Right now, the numbers just arent there.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners:
Heard a presentation that looked at the countys Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan update. It was offered by Luke Muller of First District Association of Local Governments.
Received thanks from Sheriff Marty Stanwick for instituting a county-wide burn ban last week.
Of course thats not going to limit any fires from combines and things like that, but at least hopefully itll limit anybody who decides to open burn, he noted. People, hopefully, realize its dry out there.
Stanwick also mentioned in passing that his office has received more complaints than normal of speeding and motorists running stop signs in the county.
Emergency Management Director Bob Hill reminded the public about an Oct. 28 flu shot clinic at Brookings High School. He said 500 inoculations will be offered to people age 18 and older.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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