Over the course of the past week, work has continued on Phases 1 and 2 on the Main Street Project. On
Phase 1, Ottertail Aggregate has completed the last of the removals of sidewalk and pavers and has been
hauling aggregate to the site preparing for the upcoming concrete and bituminous pavement
improvements. Knife Lake Concrete has been in town with various crews throughout the week, installing
the new concrete sidewalk from Sixth Avenue East to Eleventh Avenue East on the south side of Main
Street. This new sidewalk will provide a connection throughout the City along the busy roadway.
On Thursday, Knife Lake started the construction of the curb and gutter in Phase 1. Starting at the
intersection of Third Avenue East, Knife Lake worked their way east to the end of Phase 1 and turned
around to head back toward downtown. This morning, Knife Lake constructed the last of the curb and
gutter in Phase 1, with minor connections at storm sewer inlets and other areas being established through
the remainder of the day.
On Phase 2, one of R.L. Larson’s crews continued with the construction of the sanitary sewer mains and
services between Fifth and Sixth Avenue West. On Tuesday, one of the crews left town, with one crew
remaining for the rest of the underground improvements. R.L. Larson also placed a temporary water
system in advance of Phase 3 construction, which will provide water to the various properties along the
project area as the watermain is replaced in the upcoming phase.
Next week, work will continue throughout the project in various phases. Work in Phase 1 will primarily
consist of the installation of aggregate and shaping of the roadway to prepare for pavement later in the
week. Currently Central Specialties is scheduled to construct the bottom four inches of pavement on the
roadway later next week. As discussed last week, this work will be completed prior to the placement of
sidewalks in the phase to allow for the installation of light bases, irrigation, and other components beneath
the sidewalk. From Third to Fifth Avenue East, Knife Lake will begin working on driveway apron
replacement and other sidewalk construction. Please stay off the new concrete until directed to allow for
proper curing.
R.L. Larson anticipates completing the last of the underground utilities in Phase 2 throughout the course of
the week with hydrant relocations, water service modifications, and storm sewer installation at the
intersections.
On Wednesday, additional traffic control signage will be going up on the west end of the project in advance
of removals on Phase 3 (Seventh Avenue to County Highway 34/51). If R.L. Larson is able to complete the
utilities earlier in the week, Ottertail Aggregate will begin removals from Seventh Avenue to the west on
Thursday. Because there is no utility replacement on the block from Sixth to Seventh Avenue West, the
existing surfacing will remain until the street improvements are necessary in a few weeks.
