Nobles County Approves Highway Department Projects

Commissioners greenlight seal coating, school safety, and bridge replacements

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty county highway maintenance yard with a pickup truck and road equipment in the foreground, bathed in warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the county's infrastructure priorities.Nobles County's strategic infrastructure investments aim to keep its roads and bridges in top condition for the community.Worthington Today

The Nobles County Board of Commissioners approved several highway department initiatives, including a 35-mile seal coating project, the Adrian Safe Routes to School program, and the reconstruction of five county bridges with state funding support.

Why it matters

These infrastructure investments demonstrate Nobles County's commitment to maintaining and improving its transportation network, enhancing road safety, and securing state resources to upgrade critical bridge assets.

The details

The commissioners awarded a $985,745 contract to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp for the 2026 Seal Coat project, which will cover 35 miles of county roads as well as work in the cities of Lismore and Leota. They also approved an agreement with the city of Adrian to sponsor the local Safe Routes to School initiative, which is currently in the bidding process. Additionally, the board signed off on agreements with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to secure funding for the reconstruction of five County State Aid Highway bridges.

  • The seal coating project is expected to begin in mid-May and wrap up by the end of August 2026.
  • The Adrian Safe Routes to School project is currently in the bidding phase.
  • The five bridge reconstruction projects are actively progressing to construction.

The players

Aaron Holmbeck

Nobles County Engineer who presented the highway department items to the commissioners.

Bob Paplow

Nobles County Commissioner who inquired about the timeline for the seal coating project.

Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp

One of the biggest contractors in the Midwest that submitted the lowest bid for the 2026 Seal Coat project.

Adrian

The city that is partnering with Nobles County on the Safe Routes to School initiative and will be responsible for funding any additional project costs not covered by the grant.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

The state agency that is providing funding support for the reconstruction of five County State Aid Highway bridges in Nobles County.

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What they’re saying

“'The low bid includes the total amount of the county's portion, but there was also alternate bids for two communities that joined us in the bidding. Both the city of Lismore and the town of Leota have been contacted and would like to move forward with their portion of the work. We have an agreement with them where they're responsible for their cost.'”

— Aaron Holmbeck, Nobles County Engineer

“'All that crack sealing and all that's been done already?'”

— Bob Paplow, Nobles County Commissioner

What’s next

The Nobles County Board of Commissioners will continue to monitor the progress of the seal coating, Safe Routes to School, and bridge reconstruction projects to ensure timely completion and proper use of state and local funding.

The takeaway

Nobles County's strategic investments in road maintenance, school safety infrastructure, and bridge replacements demonstrate its commitment to maintaining a well-functioning transportation network that serves the needs of its residents and supports economic development in the region.