Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Project selection

Increasing the transparency of how we select highway construction projects

Non-National Highway System culverts

MnDOT District 1

Scoring criteria for standalone non-national highway system culvert projects. Out of 100 possible points, 50 points are based on the structural condition of the culvert, 20 points are based on the load rating, 15 points are based on the condition of the waterway and channel, and 15 points are based traffic volume.

Learn more about how MnDOT evaluates and selects bridge and culvert projects

MnDOT replaces or rehabilitates most culverts (greater than 10 feet) in conjunction with other projects. However, MnDOT will occasionally select a culvert for a standalone rehabilitation or replacement project.

MnDOT scores culvert condition needs when selecting projects to include in the 10-year Capital Highway Investment Plan. Culverts that carry roads on the National Highway System (NHS) are scored and selected separately from culvert needs off the system. MnDOT’s approach to managing culvert condition follows the guidance and targets in the Transportation Asset Management Plan and the planned outcomes in MnSHIP.

Non-NHS culverts are scored statewide, but prioritized within each district. The selection of standalone culvert projects is informed by district staff, experts from MnDOT’s bridge office and the Bridge Replacement and Improvement Management System (BRIM).

Once selected, MnDOT then identifies and evaluates alternatives and other needs, legal requirements, issues and opportunities in coordination with local partners, and considers public input. In the process, non-culvert work may be added to a culvert project or a culvert project may be combined with a nearby pavement project. Projects may move years based on local coordination, project delivery, timing of other nearby construction projects, and funding shifts.

What was selected

Related links

How the projects scored

The construction costs shown on this list represent a very rough estimate based on limited information available at the time selection decisions were made. Actual construction and delivery costs will change over time as projects go from a concept through the project development process and are eventually constructed.

Last updated April 2024

Total score Bridge Number Route Key Intersection or closest landmark Work type Year planned High level cost estimate for planning purposes Comments 
70 8500 Hwy 23 Clear Creek Replace 2029  $            3,790,000 Ongoing maintenance concerns
70 8500 Hwy 23 Clear Creek Replace 2029  $            1,450,000 None
65 6740 Hwy 73 Joula Crek Replace Not Selected  $               250,000 None
60 8868 Hwy 18 Chelsey Brook Replace 2029  $               508,000 None
60 8868 Hwy 18 Chesley Brook Replace 2029  $               120,000 Ongoing maintenance concerns
57 96750 Hwy 38 Burr Creek Replace Not Selected  $               230,000 None
47 8933 Hwy 65 Ox Hide Creek Replace Not selected  $               180,000 Not a district priority. Will continue to monitor culvert performance.
37 5757 Hwy 23 Mission Creek Replace 2024  $            1,320,000 Ongoing maintenance concerns. Flooding issues.
38 5757 Hwy 23 Mission Creek Replace 2024  $            1,450,000 None

View more detailed scores (Excel)

Total score Bridge Number Route Key Intersection or closest landmark Work type Year planned High level cost estimate for planning purposes Comments 
70 8500 Hwy 23 Clear Creek 2029 Replace $1,450,000 Ongoing maintenance concerns
60 89395 Hwy 73 South of Beauty Mountain Rd near Hibbing 2022 Replace $130,000 Coordination with another bridge replacement
60 8868 Hwy 18 Chesley Brook 2029 Replace $500,000 Ongoing maintenance concerns
47 8933 Hwy 65 Ox Hide Creek Not selected Replace $180,000 Not a district priority. Will continue to monitor culvert performance.
37 5757 Hwy 23 Mission Creek 2024 Replace $1,320,000 Ongoing maintenance concerns. Flooding issues.

Total score Bridge Number Route Key Intersection or closest landmark Work type Year planned High level cost estimate for planning purposes Comments 
70 8500 Hwy 23 Clear Creek Replace 2029 $1,000,000  
63 3096 Hwy 210 Stream near Turner Lake in McGregor Replace 2021 $600,000  Selected prior to policy (in 2019-2028 CHIP)
61 89395 Hwy 73 Stream near Hibbing Replace 2023 $600,000  Selected prior to policy (in 2019-2028 CHIP); poor condition metal culvert
60 8868 Hwy 18 Chesley Brook Replace 2029 $500,000 Poor condition culvert 
47 8933 Hwy 65 Ox Hide Creek Replace Not selected $400,000  
37 5757 Hwy 23 Mission Creek Replace 2024 $1,400,000 Completion of prior project

Score Culvert number Route Key intersection or closest landmark  Work type Year Planned (FY) High level construction cost estimate for planning purposes Comments
66 6292 Hwy 210 Island Lake Outlet Replace 2029 $400,000 Being delivered with culverts 4560 and 6290
66 6290 Hwy 210 Otter Creek Replace 2029 $400,000 Being delivered with culverts 4560 and 6292
64 4650 Hwy 210 Stony Brook Replace 2029 $400,000 Being delivered with culverts 6292 and 6290
63 6293 Hwy 210 Tamarack River Replace 2026 $350,000 Being delivered with culverts 4321 6293,6295, 8448 and 8449
63 8448 Hwy 210 Sandy River Replace 2026 $350,000 Being delivered with culverts 6293, 6295, 4321 and 8449
61 89395 Hwy 73 Stream near Janette Lake in Hibbing Replace 2023 $200,000 Selected prior to policy (in 2019-2028 CHIP)
46 8792 Hwy 135 West Two Rivers Replace 2025 $200,000 Selected prior to policy (in 2019-2028 CHIP)
28 6295 Hwy 210 Sandy River Replace 2026 $350,000 Being delivered with culverts 6293, 4321, 8448 and 8449
13 4321 Hwy 210 County Ditch #42 Replace 2026 $350,000 Being delivered with culverts 6293, 6295, 8448 and 8449
13 8449 Hwy 210 Sandy River Replace 2026 $350,000 Being delivered with 6293,6295, 8448 and 4321