Fillmore County recognized for “Excellence in Recycling”

Certificates of recognition were presented to engineering and maintenance from the Minnesota Office of the Governor at the Fillmore County Board’s April 13 meeting.

The certificates received by County Engineer Ron Gregg and Highway Maintenance Supervisor Brent Kohn were given in recognition of the “Excellence in Recycling” demonstrated through a successful partnership with First State Tire Recycling. Shredded recycled tires were used in the construction of the land bridge on CSAH 5 southwest of Chatfield.

This land bridge that is about 500 feet long was constructed last year on a section of roadway that has been an ongoing issue for the county for more than 30 years. Due to the underlying soil and rock formation, slides have occurred, which have posed a danger to the traveling public. The design and construction of the land bridge is an effort to resolve that issue once and for all.

Gregg explained that eight large cells were created for the bridge, which were filled with the shredded tires. The shredded tires provided a “light weight fill material to lessen the dead load prior the concrete deck pour over the underlying unstable material.” The shredded tires also work as a “water drainage system to drain moisture from beneath the bridge deck slab to the outside drainage system to carry the water away.”

Once the cells were filled with shredded tires and leveled, they were wrapped with geotextile fabric. Finally, salvaged aggregate was placed on top and compacted before the concrete deck pour. About 1,280 cubic yards of shredded tires (tire derived aggregate) were used. The tire derived aggregate (TDA) was supplied by First State Tire Recycling & Recycling Tire Engineered Aggregate, Isanti, Minn.

Monte Niemi, First State Tire Recycling, spoke about environmental uses for discarded tires by turning them into tire derived aggregate. The recycled product is used as a drainage aggregate around drain tile pipes and in storm water infiltration. Over 20 storm water detention projects have been completed using this material. It helps remove contaminants and chemicals. Research is being conducted for a road edge water filtering system design to reduce the runoff of road contaminants. Niemi said it is exciting to make something positive out of used tires.

Other business in brief

• An access permit for a new driveway approach to CR 12 was approved for Danny and Jeanette Serfling, section 11 of Carimona Township.

• A Minnesota Energy contract to run fuel lines for the new natural gas generators was approved at a cost of $7,335.79.

• The re-evaluation of the shop foreman job description and reclassification by David Drown & Associates was approved. Approval was given to change the title of head mechanic to mechanic.

• Jeff Quam was hired as the replacement shop foreman, effective May 6.

• Approval was given to advertise for a replacement mechanic.

• Proposed changes to the compensation policy were discussed. Further adjustments to the policy will be made as suggested before it is brought back.