• Brian Giese accepted the award on behalf of the county at MCEA’s 79th annual conference

Pope County’s recently-completed reconstruction project on County State Aid Road 17 has been awarded 2024 Project of the Year honors by the Minnesota County Engineer’s Association (MCEA).

At the 2025 MCEA Annual Conference, Pope County Engineer Brian Giese accepted the award on behalf of the county for long-sought improvements now complete on the scenic route along Lake Minnewaska, also known locally as South Lakeshore Drive.

The Minnesota County Engineer’s Association recognized the project for its unique design characteristics, design innovation, environmental considerations, community relations and public involvement, construction management and project scheduling, it was stated.

After many years of public discussion as well as legal challenges, improvements to CSAH 17 were completed after Labor Day in Fall 2024, pursuant to project plans developed by the Pope County Engineer and Highway Department and adopted by the Pope County Board of Commissioners. 

The construction plans were developed utilizing a performance-based design methodology in pursuit of outcome goals established by the County Board. These identified outcome goals focused on addressing public safety, pedestrian use, environmental concerns, deteriorating pavement conditions, and roadway drainage. A project construction schedule was developed to minimize disruptions and maintain property access for property owners adjacent to Lake Minnewaska.

The Minnesota County Engineers Association is an organized association of all 87 appointed county engineers in the state as well as associate members who are licensed, professional engineers working for Minnesota counties.