Road Construction Seemingly Everywhere

It seems like whatever direction drivers head in this summer, there is road construction.

In Northfield, work continues on the high-profile projects on Sixth Street and in the Maple Street/Prairie Street neighborhoods.

On local highways, repaving work on Highway 3 between Northfield and Faribault wrapped up last month. But, projects on Highway 19 and Interstate 35 either are gearing up to start or or in their initial steps.

Below is a summary of road projects affecting Northfield residents.

SIXTH STREET

On Friday afternoon, construction crews were pouring concrete for sidewalks on the Econofoods side of Sixth between Division and Washington Streets. And, workers were putting the finishing touches on the brick paver crosswalks at the intersection of Division and Sixth streets.

According to the July 26 City Administrator’s memo, BCM Construction had hoped to open the intersection of Sixth and Division on Friday. At 5:30 p.m. Friday, “Road Closed” signs still were blocking the intersection.

MAPLE STREET

A portion of Maple Street will be closed next week for paving, city officials announced this week.

Here is a news release from Northfield Engineering Coordinator Sean Simonson announcing the closure.

A segment of Maple Street from Woodley Street to Meadowview Drive will be closed from Monday August 5, 2013 through Wednesday August 7, 2013 as part of the Prairie Street, Maple Street, and Veteran’s Park Maintenance Project.  Pavement milling contractors will be on-site to Mill (grind) the existing 4-1/2” of bituminous asphalt and 5” of underlying road base and place the new 5” of gravel road base.  This closure is expected to last from 7:00 A.M. Monday August 5, 2013 to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday August 7, 2013.

During this closure, motorists are encouraged to use alternate north/south routes such as Prairie Street Street in lieu of Maple Street.

HIGHWAY 19

Construction signs were placed along Division Street north of Second Street North this past week alerting drivers of the impending work ahead on Highway 19.

Beginning Aug. 5, single-lane traffic on some sections of Highway 19 between Northfield and Cannon Falls is expected with the start of resurfacing and culvert replacement, says the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Work is expected to last about six weeks.

A detour also is scheduled to begin on the highway between Aug. 5 and is expected to be in place for two weeks. The detour route will follow, Highway 3, County roads 47 and 88 and Highway 20.

According to the MnDOT website, the $3.8 million project will include “mill and overlay, culvert replacement and repairs, construct right turn lanes and ADA improvements in Cannon Falls and Northfield.”

INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN ELKO/NEW MARKET AND THE I-35/35E/35W SPLIT

The repaving and reconstruction of this section of highway is part of a $20 million project that include bridge and road repair as far north as Eagan.

Here is the latest on this project from MnDOT:

• Work on the I-35 portion between Elko/New Market and the Burnsville split has begun. Motorists can expect to see temporary off-peak lane closures as crews build crossovers and make preparations for the upcoming traffic switches.

• The long-term, head-to-head traffic switch is tentatively scheduled to begin on or around Aug. 26. The road will be reduced to a single land north of Highway 50 on weekends prior to the Aug. 26 date. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the start of the project.

• All dates are subject to change due to project readiness and weather.

INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN FARIBAULT AND OWATONNA

The $10 million repaving and reconstruction project is underway and is expected to last into the fall.

Here is the latest on this project from the MnDOT website:

Travelers may experience periods of stop-and-go traffic due to heavy traffic volumes, especially on Friday and Sunday evenings. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes and avoid the area during peak travel times, if possible.

During backups, motorists should use both lanes and take turns merging into the construction zone, where single-lane traffic begins. This method reduces rear-end crashes and helps keep traffic flowing as best as possible.