Fast tracking Broadway corridor project is reason for issues with utility relocations
An easterly view of the work being done on Broadway Avenue (CR-2) in Forest Lake. (Photo by Jennifer Mevissen)
Jennifer Mevissen
Staff Writer
According to Washington County, there may have been a misunderstanding about relocating utilities versus performing no work whatsoever in front of Broadway Avenue (CR-2) businesses until the backage road – currently under construction – is complete and open to traffic.
At Monday’s meeting, the Forest Lake City Council discussed a memo from Cory Slagle, county engineering and construction manager, in regards to the project. He wrote that it would be unfeasible to delay relocating utilities until NW 1st Avenue is built.
City Engineer Paul Hornby said that typically, the utilities would’ve been relocated well ahead of time before the road work started.
“This is a little bit on the fast track,” he said.
The construction portion is to be finished in 2012; from SW 19th Street to NW 8th Street in 2011 and from 8th to Centennial Drive next year. Incentive payments were added to the contract with Redstone Construction Co., in an effort to shorten the project schedule.
“It’s been very disruptive to our community,” Councilwoman Jackie McNamara said of the utility relocations. “Washington County has blundered their way into Forest Lake.”
Hornby reiterated Slagle’s comments, saying the county staff will improve communication with affected businesses during the utility relocations and will work with the contractor to provide alternative access points, if necessary, until completion of the backage road. It’s anticipated that NW 1st Ave. will be open to traffic before the Fourth of July.
Engineer’s Report
Hornby presented plans and specifications for the 2011 mill and overlay project with the council authorizing advertisement for bids to be opened July 6. The contract will be awarded July 11 and construction begins July 25.
The city has budgeted $300,000 for the following streets: SW 5th Avenue from SW 12th Street to SW 9th Street; SW 9th St. from SW 5th Ave. to SW 3rd Avenue; SW 7th Avenue from SW 12th St. to SW 8th Street; SW 8th St. from SW 7th Ave. to SW 2nd Avenue; SW 10th Avenue from SW 12th St. to SW 10th Street; SW 10th St. from SW 10th Ave. to SW 9th Avenue; NE 6th Avenue from TH-61 to North Shore Trail, and NE 1st Street from NE 6th Ave. to north end at US-8.
The city has budgeted $270,000 for the 2011 seal coat and crack sealing. The project plans include the following streets: 216th Street N., 214th Street N., 213th Street N., 212th Street N., Fondant Avenue N., Floral Bay, Falcon Avenue N., 210th Street N., Everton Avenue N., Exley Avenue N., 209th Street N., Fairbanks Avenue N., Enfield Circle N., Enfield Court N., Enfield Avenue N., 202nd Street N., 200th Street N., 200th Court N., Explorer Avenue N., Explorer Court N., 201st Street N., Farnham Avenue N., 207th Street N., Fenston Avenue N. (east of Fenway), 206th Street N., Everton Circle N., 206th Drive Circle N., 206th Drive Court N., 206th Drive N., Everton Way N., Everton Trail N., Everton Avenue Court N., Everton Court N., Fenway Avenue N., and 206th Street N. (east of Fenway).
In other news, the council:
• Approved a request by Winnick Supply, Inc., to reduce the letter of credit for private site improvements from $100,000 to an amount no less than $75,000.
