Wet weather slows Highway 14 project

Garden Street light

is adjusted

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The recent rain was sweet music to farmers and gardeners, but it slowed the Highway 14 reconstruction project in New Ulm on Friday and Monday.

Marv Kruger, Minnesota Department of Transportation Chief Inspector, said heavy equipment did not operate either day. It has been used on 13 of 15 scheduled working days in Stage 1 of the $7 million project that will continue through fall 2005.

Stage 1, which includes construction work in the 700, 800 and 900 blocks of North Broadway, began May 3. It is scheduled to last 30 working days.

When the ground dries up this week, MR Paving and Excavating will install water main and storm sewer service on North Broadway in that area. Hauling and placement of granular material for the road base will follow.

Temporary water services from 14th-17th North streets are being installed in preparation for the replacement of city water mains later this week.

The stoplight interval at the intersection of Highway 14 and Garden Street has been extended to 30 seconds in each direction when there is traffic. When there is no traffic, the interval is reduced to 15-20 seconds.

All four stop signs remain at the intersection of Broadway and 20th North Street. New Ulm Police will continue to monitor the area and place the speed trailer in the area to deter traffic from breaking the 30 mph speed limit.

New Ulm Street Superintendent Tom Patterson said his office was getting busy with out-of-town travelers complaining about getting off the detour by turning onto Broadway at the 20th North intersection instead of following the detour straight across Broadway.

Kruger said an arrow sign will be added near the intersection, directing traffic to proceed straight across Broadway instead of turning onto it.

The weekly public meeting with MnDOT and contractors will not be held on Memorial Day.

For more information, visit www.newulm.com and click on the highway project logo. The MNDOT web site is www.dot.state.mn.us/d/projects/newulm14/