St. Louis County Public Works is continuing its work to build a new Central Range Transportation Facility in Balkan Township. Due to the facility’s large size and location outside of any incorporated city limits, the County is required to complete an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The EAW evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the project. The proposed facility would include approximately 125,000 square feet of new building space including a garage, repair bays and truck wash for maintenance vehicles along with staff office space, salt storage and other materials storage areas.

The EAW is now ready for the public to review and comment. The document, prepared as required by the County’s Planning and Zoning Department, is available online at stlouiscountymn.gov/pz or on the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) website: https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/eqb-monitor.

If anyone wishes to review the EAW in person, a printed version is available for viewing during normal business hours at the St. Louis County Government Services Center – Virginia, 201 South 3rd Ave. West.

The deadline to submit comments on the EAW is Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. Written comments should be sent to Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Logan at loganr@stlouiscountymn.gov or mailed to his attention at St. Louis County Planning and Zoning, 201 South 3rd Ave. West, Virginia, MN 55792.

The new St. Louis County Central Range Transportation Facility will serve Hibbing, Chisholm and the surrounding region. The new facility will ensure faster and more effective response for road maintenance, provide better security, save personnel time, and prolong the life of the equipment. The project is expected to be complete in 2027.