The city of Princeton is gearing up for a large road construction project to begin in June.
In partnership with Mille Lacs County, the city is preparing for large improvements to County State Aid Highway 4, also known as Seventh Avenue North, that will include the total replacement of the road.
On Wednesday, April 10, the city hosted a neighborhood informational meeting to inform residents living nearby of the project and all it will entail; the city and its engineers were available to answer any questions attendees had.
The project will reconstruct Seventh Avenue North into a two-lane roadway with parking and a sidewalk on the east side from Rum River Drive North to 12th Street North. The existing road will be removed and replaced to allow for the complete replacement of the water main and sanitary sewer underneath the road.
The current sanitary sewer is in need of replacement due to the condition of the existing pipe and root intrusion. According to the city, it has spent a lot of time and resources over the last several years repairing sewer leaks. The new sanitary sewer main will also be up-sized to 21 inches to accommodate future growth.
The current water main beneath the road will also experience a size upgrade from a 6-inch to an 8-inch pipe in order to meet the demands and for fire protection for the city.
Residents connected to the sewer and water mains beneath Seventh Avenue North will be connected to temporary lines that will be installed during construction. The city warns of potential water services being shut of for short periods of time with 24-hour notice prior to any planned shut-offs. Contractors may also need access to homes nearby to locate sewer connections.
Storm sewer improvements are also included in the project. The addition of curb and gutters on the east side of the street will be constructed to manage stormwater run-off, and it will be directed to an outlet to the south into the Rum River. The work will create a temporary closure and detour of Rum River Drive when the construction occurs.
A new roundabout will also be constructed at the intersection of Seventh Avenue North and 12th Street North to help improve the safety of pedestrian crossings and the operation of vehicular traffic during peak and non-peak hours.
The skewed intersection at Rum River Drive will be reconstructed to connect at a perpendicular angle to improve the safety of the intersection, and the city plans to reconstruct a portion of 11th Avenue North to continue the curb and gutter on the north side.
Lastly, the lift station on Fifth Avenue will be reconstructed as part of the project.
The project has been in the works for several years, according to the city, but it was delayed due to a lack of funding to replace the utilities located beneath the road.
Then in 2022, the city received a Small Cities Grant totaling $800,000 to replace the sanitary sewer located under Seventh Avenue North, as well as funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Mille Lacs County State Aid funds are also being used to help fund the road reconstruction.
After receiving the funds, Princeton entered into a cooperative agreement with Mille Lacs County in 2023 for the project to move forward.
The Princeton City Council anticipates awarding the project to the low bid contractor in late May with construction estimated to start in early June. It is expected that final completion will be in November of this year.
The contractor will be permitted to work between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays. No work will be permitted on Thursday, July 4 and Monday, Sept. 2 in observance of federal holidays.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
On a project summary sheet provided to all those in attendance of the neighborhood information meeting, city staff and city engineers provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the project. Those questions and answers are listed below.
Will I have access to my driveway?
- Due to the nature of the construction, those that live on Seventh Avenue North will experience times where they will not have access to their driveways. The city estimates that there will be periods of up to seven days without access. Residents will be provided with as much notice as possible when these situations occur.
Can I park on the street?
- During construction, the city asks that residents not park on the street unless asked to do so. Residents will be notified on where they can park.
Will delivery or removal services such as mail, package delivery carriers, or garbage services be disrupted?
- The city plans to coordinate with the post office, delivery services, and garbage services during periods of limited access.
Where will I be able to pick up my mail?
- Contractors will set up a temporary mailbox location. Mail boxes will be reinstalled at the completion of the project. If preferred, residents can rent a P.O. box or have their mail held at the post office.
How will the school bus pick up children on the Seventh Avenue North routes?
- The majority of work will take place when school is not in session. Street work will occur in late summer/early fall, and the city plans to coordinate with the bus company to determine if an alternate pick-up/drop-off location is required. Residents will be notified as necessary.
Will the areas of my lawn that are disturbed be replaced?
- The contractor will place seed and spray hydro mulch to reestablish any turf that is disturbed.
How are landscaping features, lawn irrigation, and pet fences dealt with during construction?
- Due to the depth of the construction, significant impacts can occur directly in front of homes. The city asks residents to locate sprinkler heads, sprinkler lines, and pet fences.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
When construction begins in June, the city asks that residents observe posted warning signs, stay alert for equipment and workers, drive slowly and watch for uneven surfaces, and remind children to stay away from construction areas.
Residents are also reminded that access throughout the site may change throughout the day as construction progresses.
To stay informed on the project and receive updates on road access and remain aware of how the construction will impact you, sign up by sending an email to princeton2024@wseng.com or calling 763-200-8312 to share your email address. Any questions about the project can also be directed to that email and phone number. The City of Princeton will also post updates on its website and Facebook page.
As the project progresses, the city asks for patience from residents living in the area.
“Our goal for this project is to make sure Princeton and its residents have well-constructed and long-lasting infrastructure. We understand that this project will impede on some of your normal day routines and schedules, but we promise to do our best to make sure this project goes as smooth as possible,” the city of Princeton wrote in the project information sheet. “The city of Princeton thanks you for your patience throughout this construction project.”
Reach Chloe Smith at chloe.smith@apgecm.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0