City plans for Central Street 2020 construction project

Open house informational meeting set for July 23

The City of Springfield is preparing for a complete reconstruction of Central Street from Highway 14 to O’Connell Avenue next summer, and will hold an informational open house regarding the project in the Springfield Area Community Center on Tuesday, July 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

During the past year, the  City of Springfield was awarded two grants from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to assist in financing the project.  Grants from the Local Road Improvement Program provides $750,00, for the “Main Street” project, and $500,000 for the realignment of the intersection of Central Street with Highway 14.

The project includes a complete reconstruction of Central Street with asphalt; replacement of most curb and gutter; replacement of underground utilities including water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer; new curb extensions and pedestrian lights at crossings near the school and downtown; replacement of sidewalk and removal of select trees with replacement options. 

The open house will provide property owners along Central Street the opportunity to communicate with city staff and engineers from Bolton & Menk, Inc. items specific to one’s property, such as tree and sidewalk replacement options. 

 City Engineers Bill Helget and Shane Traulich reported findings and observations  regarding the Central Street project to the Springfield City Council during their July 10 meeting.   The engineers and city staff from the Public Utilities and Streets Department did two separate walks up and down Central Street on July 10. They focused their attention on sidewalks and trees up and down each side of Central Street.  Engineer Helget indicated that it appears that all sidewalk needs to be replaced, and trees that are lifting sidewalks and curbs will be marked for removal.  Improvements to street design, in parking lanes, and bump-outs that would improve walking conditions in the central business district and school zone are also in the plans.   “Some of these aren’t engineer decisions,” Helget said when responding to councilor questions, some decisions will be  based on information gained during meetings with property owners.   Information and photos/maps of the project will be provided regarding the full scope of the project will be available at the public meeting/open house Tuesday evening.  All property owners in the project area are urged to attend this meeting.

 

See complete story in this week's issue of the Springfield Advance-Press.

Springfield Advance-Press

13 S. Marshall Avenue PO Box 78 Springfield, MN 56087

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