The village of Muenster’s key roadways will see a marked improvement over the summer with the application of a chip sealed surface approved by Village Council. Range Line Road, College Avenue, and Main Street will soon be resurfaced with a double chip seal, providing a more durable and dust-free driving experience.
“This is something the community has been waiting on for a long time,” said Nick Vanderveen, Village Foreman. “These are our three busiest roads — everyone entering Muenster is using either Range Line or College, and Main Street connects people across town. They’ve needed an upgrade for a while.”
The double chip seal treatment offers an asphalt-like surface at a fraction of the cost, helping to eliminate dust — a major concern for residents — while significantly improving drivability.
“You can see this kind of surface on highways or in nearby places like Lake Lenore,” Vanderveen explained. “It’s tough, long-lasting, and cost-effective. It’s going to give us a great road surface without the expense of full paving.”
The new surfacing will provide benefits beyond the previous methods of dealing with road dust and surface compaction, agrees Benji Szautner of Village Council.
“This is more of a long-term solution,” Szautner said. “In the past, we’ve used surface lubricant that would keep the dust down, but our roads were still quite ‘washboardy,’ so we’re hoping to provide something longer-term.
But before the surface work could begin, the village had to address years of underlying infrastructure and drainage issues — especially on Range Line Road.
“We actually started the groundwork back in 2019 when Council invested in resurfacing Range Line,” said Jan Sylvester, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Village of Muenster. “But by 2021, we started seeing soft spots forming. That led us down a path of investigation involving engineered reports, soil testing, and drainage evaluations.”
According to Sylvester, engineers from P Machibroda identified high water tables and poor-quality soil under the roadway, including the discovery of old culverts, cow bones, and “black mush” during a five-foot-deep excavation.
“We found no active leaks, even after multiple excavations and acoustic testing,” Vanderveen added. “I spent hours using contact microphones to test the system — no leaks on the mains or service lines. It really confirmed we’re dealing with a high groundwater table in that area.”
Once the problematic organic soil was removed and replaced with appropriate materials, the ditches were regraded, culverts reset, and the roadbed rebuilt to better handle moisture. With a solid base now in place, the Village is ready to apply the new chip seal surface.
“This isn’t just about smoother roads,” Sylvestre said. “This is about community pride, safety, and making Muenster an even more attractive place to live.”
Sylvestre added that as service level expectations rise, infrastructure plays a larger role in attracting new residents.
“Today’s homeowners — and even prospective ones — expect more than they did a decade ago,” she said. “People want dust-free roads, reliable infrastructure, and services that support a high quality of life. Muenster offers that, and with our school, local Co-op, childcare, and St. Peter’s College, we’re offering both urban convenience and rural charm.”
While there's no official word yet on whether more roads will be upgraded in the near future, Schroeder says the groundwork has been laid for smart future growth.
“Our previous councils did their due diligence. Now, we’re in a position to act — responsibly and with the community’s best interest in mind.”
Construction is expected to begin this summer. Residents will be updated as timelines are finalized.