Highway 14 construction wraps up work for 2004

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The first construction season of the two-year, $8 million U.S. Highway 14 reconstruction project in town is "substantially complete" for this year, Project Engineer Robert Williams of Minnesota Department of Transportation reported Wednesday.

While this season's work represents approximately 70 percent of the construction dollars allocated for the project, the final layer of pavement between 20th North Street and Garden Street/County Highway 29 won't be applied until next year "due to concerns about the quality of paving in cooler conditions," Williams explained.

However, that will be the only work remaining east of the Garden Street intersection when construction resumes in the spring on completing the remaining 30 percent of the project that terminates at the west city limits.

"While there are significant benefits to deferring the final pavement, including prolonging the warranty period, the unfinished pavement may create a few challenges for snowplow operators," Williams said.

He also warned motorists using Highway 14 to be aware of the uneven lane situation (between Garden and 20th North streets) with the adjacent higher concrete curb and gutter.

While the weekly public construction meetings have ended for the year, Williams said MnDOT would be holding an open house prior to the start of work next year.

Work next season will primarily focus on reconstruction of the highway from the Garden Street intersection to the city limits, along with creating a pedestrian underpass near the back of the Cash Wise grocery store, the North Highland intersection and finishing work on the south frontage road.

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