Meeting on Broadway Project this Thursday at Culver’s
Jennifer Larson
Staff Writer
It won’t be long before motorists see orange barrels and detour signs posted as road construction season will start soon.
Washington County is hosting its first neighborhood meeting for the Broadway Avenue corridor project this Thursday, March 10 from 8-9 a.m. at Culver’s in Forest Lake.
The public is invited to meet with county officials, the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and other businesses within the work zone. Among the topics to be discussed are the project schedule, staging and detour plans.
According to Cory Slagle, an engineer and construction manager for the project, the county is advertising for bids right now.
“We’re hoping to get that awarded the end of April and start construction afterwards in the beginning of May,” he said.
Slagle said the timeline for 2011 includes replacing the I-35 interchange. That means removing the Broadway Avenue bridge, but the ramps will remain open until the temporary exits are built at the new CR-83 (SW 11th Avenue) overpass.
The section of Broadway from the freeway east to 8th St. will be reconstructed this year. A backage road (NW 1st Avenue) on the north side of Broadway to access businesses along the corridor will be completed this year, as well.
The remaining construction along Broadway from 8th Street east to Centennial Drive will happen in 2012.
The goal is to create a transportation system that yields a higher degree of safety, efficiency, and mobility, but also allows for streetscape enhancements that will be inviting for consumers, travelers and pedestrians alike in Forest Lake, Slagle said.
For future meeting times and locations, visit www.broadwayaveforestlake.info
