Wisconsin highway site building plans incorporate the use of geothermal

Wisconsin highway site building plans incorporate the use of geothermal

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors’ Infrastructure and Highway committees are still working on creating a plan for the county’s new highway facility. The Wisconsin county has been in need of a new highway site for some time now, but a tight budget has slowed planning and construction, the Daily Union reported

However, the committees responsible for the project have allowed engineers and architects to begin the process of designing a new structure. According to the news source, the proposed plan for the structure must incorporate sustainable elements, but remain on budget.

“Basically, this building was certified silver-rated building in terms of LEED, and we’re going to attain that by using renewable products, recyclable products, local products, being good stewards of the land and the water systems here, as well as some active and passive technologies,” said Norman Barrientos, a representative of the design team from Barrientos Design, according to the news source.

One of the key characteristics being considered for the property is a geothermal system. The eco-friendly option will help the county keep operational costs low and more affordable. Because the highway department will no longer need to pump in natural gas or heating oil, it will save considerable money every month that can be returned to the budget to care for other matters.

As many local highway departments struggle to remain in the black, selecting affordable and cost effective solutions may be an ideal way to keep budgets balanced. A healthy highway department is better able to perform necessary maintenance on roads and throughways, as well as hire the contractors best suited for a job.