The original plan for the reconstruction of the nearly one-mile county roadway running along the shores of West Battle Lake grew to include an additional 0.62 miles of highway, 3,000 feet of street, water and sanitary replacement on a city-owned street, two miles of water distribution looping and replacement along Trunk Highway 78, construction and widening of a multi-use path completing the connection from the city to Glendalough State Park, and replacement of the city’s main wastewater pumping station.

Apex worked with the city to outline the final project scope and assisted the city in preparing funding applications, including various hearings and reports. The Otter Tail County Highway Department authorized a joint city/county agreement that allowed Apex staff to begin the design of the county components of the project. Additional funding programs for city improvements allowed Apex to proceed with the full design.

The project plans were completed, put out to bid, and set up in phases. Because the City of Battle Lake relies on tourism, the project phasing was specifically set up to limit the impact on the major roadways, points of interest (including a park, a pier, swimming beach and public lake access), and bicycle access to Glendalough Park.

In addition to project design, Apex was hired to complete a right of way plat for the proposed roadway corridor. With limited information regarding existing plats in the area and unknown property ownership by the county, Apex surveyors prepared a unique platting process that utilized the design of the proposed improvements rather than simply acquiring unneeded, valuable, lake property.