Front Street detour to

be removed next week

Caution urged

on Broadway

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The dust, smell and sound of heavy traffic on residential streets in town is expected to be greatly reduced next week when U.S. Highway 14 traffic is rerouted from detours to North Broadway.

The Front Street detour route is expected to be removed next week.

Two-way traffic will remain on 20th North Street, between Garden and 18th Street North.

The news was announced Monday at the weekly Highway 14 reconstruction project update at the New Ulm License Bureau.

Weather and road conditions permitting, Central Specialties, the project bituminous paving subcontractor, expects to begin major paving operations this week.

Up to three paving machines are expected to be used. A large number of haul trucks will deliver hot paving mix to the pavers.

All drivers are urged to use special care when crossing Broadway or near haul trucks during this period, according to Minnesota Highway Department Chief Inspector Marv Kruger.

"Semis need room," Kruger said. "Most people have been good about allowing for room."

Construction work is essentially done at the 7th North Street intersection. Trucks will use the intersection on their haul route to and from the project site.

Much of the project base material work has been completed. Some Broadway crossings will be closed to allow for the final shaping of base material next to side streets.

Kruger said that contrary to popular belief, the project has not changed the width of North Broadway.

Regarding a question about mosquito spraying of project holding ponds, Kruger said they are federally mandated, sloped to drain, designed to slow water drainage, keep sediment out of nearby rivers and should usually be dry.

Ponds will not be sprayed for mosquitoes as long as they are not wet for extended periods of time.