(Spirit Lake)– A state committee continues to look into the possibility of transferring jurisdictions of what are currently some state highways over to counties.
Dickinson County Engineer Dan Eckert says the panel has made a change in a recommendation that would affect one proposed transfer in Dickinson county. The committee had originally proposed that all of Highway 86 between Highway 71 in Milford and the Minnesota stateline be transferred to the county. Now, Eckert says they’re proposing the state keep that portion of the road north of Highway nine…since it connects with Interstate 90 in Minnesota.
Other highways currently maintained by the state that would be turned over to the county are Highways 276 and 327 on the west and east sides of Big Spirit Lake; and Highway 356, or old Highway 71 in Maywood, which would be turned over to the city of West Okoboji.
The moves are being proposed in a cost saving effort for the state. Local officials are obviously concerned, since maintenance costs would be passed on to them.
