By Dana Kazel
Road conditions that are more typical for April during spring thaw are happening now in December on St. Louis County roads. Excessive rain and warm temperatures are deteriorating gravel roads, and Public Works is limited in what it can do to make repairs.
When the ground is soft, the weight of heavy maintenance equipment and trucks could cause more harm than good on the gravel road network. "We're as frustrated as anyone by the current condition of our gravel roads," said Brian Boder, St. Louis County Deputy Director of Public Works. "Our team takes a lot of pride in maintaining good roads, but Mother Nature has tied our hands a bit. Sending out equipment now can actually make road conditions worse. We ask people to please be patient while Public Works attempts to repair the damage."
Public Works crews continue to monitor road conditions and are making repairs when able. Several days of dry weather are needed before motor graders can be deployed to attempt repairs.
"Many gravel roads are in bad condition right now," said Boder. "We'll do our best to repair as many as possible in whatever window of opportunity we can get. Ideally, we need a few dry days and temperatures above freezing to smooth things out before the ground refreezes or we see significant snowfall."
Anyone encountering unsafe road conditions can report them by calling 911.
St. Louis County Public Works is responsible for maintaining 3,000 miles of roads, approximately half of which are gravel. To learn more, visit stlouiscountymn.gov/publicworks.
WEDNESDAY PREP SPORTS RESULTS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cloquet 80, Cromwell-Wright 58 – Junior guard Jack Battaglia exploded for 25 points for the Lumberjacks at the prestigious Wood City Classic in Cloquet.
Esko 110, Duluth Marshall 53 – Senior guard Koi Perich had 35 points for the Eskomos against the over-matched Hilltoppers in the 43rd Coaches Classic in Esko.
Tartan 73, Duluth Denfeld 54 – The Hunters fell to 4-3 following a North Star State Hardware opening game loss in Hibbing.
Rock Ridge 92, Nashwauk-Keewatin 39
Cook County 65, International Falls 52
Pine City 75, Mesabi East 55
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Esko 65, Bloomington Kennedy 43
Barnum 60, Duluth Denfeld 28
Foley 67, Hermantown 45
BOYS HOCKEY
Hermantown 5, Delano 1 – Senior goaltender Dane Callaway stopped 21 of 22 shots and five different players goals for the Class 1A/No. 1-ranked Hawks at beautiful Hermantown Arena. Senior forward William Esterbrooks had a goal and two assists for Hermantown (5-1-2), which out-shot the 1A/No. 4 Tigers (7-3) 25-4 and scored four times in the first period. The Hawks will host 1A/No. 3 East Grand Forks at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 5, Apple Valley-Burnsville 2 – The 1A/No. 9 Jacks rallied from a 2-1 deficit at Heritage Holiday Classic in the Duluth's Friendly West End, as senior defenseman Gino Bertgliot notched a goal and a pair of assists. Junior forward Niko Gentilini contributed three assists for Cloquet (7-3-0), which faces Anoka (2-9-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Sill Arena.
Duluth Denfeld 4, Irondale 1 – Junior forward John Scott had two goals for the Hunters (6-3-1), who face Park of Cottage Grove (4-4-0) in a Heritage Holiday Classic semifinal at 7 p.m. today at Sill Arena in Duluth's Friendly West End.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Superior 10, Lakeshore 2
Maple Grove 2, Grand Rapids Greenway 1
