Coffeetime with the County – Andrea Weleski, County Highway Engineer
Coffeetime with the County — Andrea Weleski, County Highway Engineer
On the De La Hunt Broadcasting "Coffeetime" program, broadcast on KPRM (870 AM / 100.5 FM) and simulcast on KDKK (97.5 FM), Hubbard County's Highway Engineer Andrea Weleski joined the show on June 18th to discuss the highway department's ongoing work, 2026 construction projects, and the infrastructure priorities shaping the future of transportation in Hubbard County.
Hubbard County maintains 523 miles of roadway across both the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) system and county road network. Approximately 324 miles fall under the CSAH program, with 271 of those miles paved and the remainder gravel. An additional 200 county road miles round out the system, most of which are unpaved. To keep these roads in safe, serviceable condition, the department performs a full range of maintenance activities year-round, including gravel blading, culvert replacement, ditch mowing, crack sealing, pothole patching, shoulder grading, tree clearing, and dust and chloride stabilization. The county also oversees 63 bridges, including box culverts over 10 feet in span, all of which are inspected and rated on a regular cycle. Enlarging bridges for boat navigation is both extremely cost-prohibitive and subject to strict DNR permitting requirements.
The 2026 construction season brings several significant projects to Hubbard County roads. On Highway 71 just north of Park Rapids, a MnDOT project is currently underway replacing a large box culvert and expanding the adjacent ATV trail corridor. The road has been closed, with the official detour running County Road 4 through Lake George. Additional active projects include CSAH 40/50 and County Road 86 full-depth reclamation and paving near Nevis, County Road 116 mill and overlay north of Park Rapids, two bridge replacements, CSAH 30 regrading and paving southeast of Laporte, and a mill and overlay on Jackfish Drive near Mantrap Lake.
Looking ahead, the county is working to improve safety at several key intersections through the use of roundabouts, which are proven to eliminate dangerous right-angle crashes. A roundabout is planned for the CSAH 6 and 15 intersection with funding set for 2029. The CSAH 34 and County Road 4 intersection, one of the county's most crash-prone, is being pursued for federal grant funding. In addition, a recently updated driveway access policy limits the number of access points per property to reduce road conflict points and improve safety as development in the county continues to grow.
A caller during the program raised a question about a streetlight at CSAH 40 and Highway 71 near Summer Hill Farm. Andrea confirmed the request is on her list and is being explored through state safety (HSIP) grant funding.
Andrea closed the interview by expressing genuine pride in her team and the dedication they bring every day. Her message to the public: as you travel Hubbard County roads this construction season, please be patient and give crews the space they need. They work hard to keep your roads safe, and they deserve to get home to their families at the end of the day.
For the latest Highway Department news and updates, visit the Hubbard County website at www.hubbardcounty.gov.