Construction

Construction began today (Sept. 25) on the County Road 115 ring road extension, southwest of Hutchinson.

The 3.5-mile, $3.6-million extension will link South Grade Road with county roads 8 and 7. It is expected to reduce congestion in downtown Hutchinson from vehicles traveling between state highways 7 and 15.

Less than two months remain until the scheduled reopening of State Highway 7 east of Silver Lake.

Crews are paving west of the new State Highway 25 roundabout this week. Asphalt paving is occurring at the Highway 7 intersection with McLeod County Road 2, and on several right-turn lanes and bypass lanes.
The passing lane between Carver County Road 21 and Tacoma Avenue is being prepared for Class 5 gravel placement.

Highway 7 is expected to reopen Nov. 15. For more project information, visit MnDOT’s Web site at www.dot.state.mn.us/d8/projects/hwy7silverlake.

An elegant residential landmark at the intersection of Second Avenue Southwest and Franklin Street South came tumbling down Wednesday morning with help from a backhoe.

A multi-car garage next to the home was also demolished. Owner Dave Norem said he sold the property to neighboring Citizens Bank and Trust Co., which will use the land for green space.

Norem said he wanted to save the home and move it, but permit and moving costs for the tall home were prohibitive.

An elegant residential landmark at the intersection of Second Avenue Southwest and Franklin Street South came tumbling down Wednesday morning with help from a backhoe.

A multi-car garage next to the home was also demolished. Owner Dave Norem said he sold the property to neighboring Citizens Bank and Trust Co., which will use the land for green space.

Norem said he wanted to save the home and move it, but permit and moving costs for the tall home were prohibitive.

The second of two new roundabouts on State Highway 7 is slated to open Monday, Sept. 22.

Along with the roundabout at State Highway 25 intersection, the stretch of highway between Highway 25 and the newly constructed roundabout at Carver County Road 10 will also reopen.

This will shorten the official detour between the Hutchinson area and Twin Cities. Eastbound traffic on Highway 7 from Hutchinson should go south on State Highway 22 to U.S. Highway 212, then eastward to State Highway 5, east on Highway 5 to State Highway 25, and northward to State Highway 7.

Reopening of the former County Road 84 (now Babcock Avenue) bridge south of Lester Prairie might occur sooner than expected.

McLeod County Highway Engineer John Brunkhorst announced last month that construction would not take place during the winter because it would cost between $50,000 and $100,000 for overtime and heating of the concrete deck, to help it set in frigid weather.

The State Highway 7 and 25 roundabout is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 19. After it opens, the detour will change. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports the following work going on this this week:

* Crews are paving the roundabout at Hwy 25 and the passing lanes between Carver County Road 10 and Hwy 25.
* When paving is complete, crews will begin signing, establishing turf, building shoulders and striping.
* Crews are milling the old pavement west of Hwy 25.

In two months, State Highway 7 will reopen all the way from Silver Lake to St. Bonifacius. The highway was closed April 21 for a $13.3 million reconstruction project, including resurfacing, added turn lanes, and passing lanes and two roundabouts near Mayer.

Replacement of the former County Road 84 (now Babcock Avenue) bridge south of Lester Prairie has been delayed.

The McLeod County Board Tuesday (Aug. 19) awarded a bid for the construction to Duininck Bros. of Prinsburg totalling $750,718. It also entered an agreement for engineering services with Erickson Engineering of Bloomington for an estimated $11,000.