Concrete work progresses east of Highway 218 and Main Street

Rumbling, gigantic construction equipment continues to make a change in the complexion of downtown Blooming Prairie these days as Main Street reconstruction continues east and west of Highway 218.
Many Blooming Prairie locals have expressed amazement at the number of huge pieces of construction equipment that have been moving dirt, bituminous and concrete over the past several weeks.
The $2.7 million re-construction project is a combined project of the City of Blooming Prairie and Steele County.
Actual Main Street reconstruction began on June 15, with work west on Main Street beginning on July 6.
Stefan Gantert, assistant project engineer for the Steele County Highway Department, says the work west of Highway 218 on Main Street is on schedule. “We are about two weeks behind schedule on the work east of 218 but we hope to catch up in a hurry with more work crews,”Gantert said.
Elcor Construction of Rochester has the general contract on the project. Sub-contractor Doyle Conner Company of Rochester is doing the concrete work and began last week east of Highway 218. Doyle Conner does the curb, pavement and sidewalk work.
Since heavy traffic is present east of 218, special dowel baskets have been installed in the concrete work to help transfer the loads, Gantert said. Much of the heavy traffic comes and goes from Arkema and Sun Opta.
The concrete workers “jump around” to different locations to do their work and allow the concrete to settle and cure, Gantert explained. It takes about 24 hours on the average for the concrete to cure, he said.
Austin Redimix is supplying product for the permanent concrete project. Concrete work on the east side of 218 is very delicate, due to the presence of railroad tracks and spur lines. Contractors applied a blacktop patch near the railroad tracks and new concrete construction.
 
The total concrete paving project east of 218 was expected to take two weeks. Some of this construction will improve conditions for pedestrian crossing on Highway 218. The new curb “bump-outs” will reduce crossing distance by about 20 feet and will lead to better pedestrian safety, Gantert pointed out.
 
The concrete thickness on the east side of 218 will be seven inches, an inch thicker than on the west side because of the heavier traffic volumes.
 
The main work being done west of 218 has focused on storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main construction. Some of that construction was slated to be completed late last week, with blacktop being replaced to allow 3rd Ave. to be reopened.
 
The downtown area including a large business district resembles a “war zone,” Gantert said. “It’s frustrating and inconvenient for businesses and their customers, but they have been understanding that we are trying to minimize disruption,” Gantert said.
 
The sidewalks along the business district will not be removed and replaced until the water main and sewer work is completed, Gantert stated.
 
For workers and engineers, watching pipe go into the ground may get boring but for the average bystander, it’s interesting to watch the construction strategy that unfolds. Gantert pointed to a water main pipe in open ground that was sealed in plastic to protect the pipe from corrosive soil around it.
 
During the project work thus far, Highway 218 traffic north and south has been kept open. The Minnesota Department of Transportation granted a construction permit contingent on one lane of traffic each way being open on 218, Gantert said.
 
The crunching of ground declines over the noon hour when workers have a chance to sample the food offerings at The Bakery and at the Prairie Cafe. 
 
The final leg of the construction west of 218 is slated to be finished by Nov. 1, 2015.