A part of 1.6 miles of Highway #4 reconstruction through the city
Starting in summer 2016, the 1.6 miles of Highway #4 that runs through St. James will begin to take on a different look.
Tabbed the “Highway #4 Reconstruction Project” by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, (MnDOT), work will run from the Watonwan County Fairgrounds to 11th Avenue – including two mini-roundabouts at the two existing signal lights on 1st Avenue (at Armstrong Boulevard and 7th Street South). Construction work will run over the course of two years – May-October 2016 and May-September 2017. The project will cut the number of parking spaces, so the city and MnDOT have decided to install back–in angle parking to help provided the needed parking that will be lost.
The highway through the city is in poor condition and disrepair; and has been a concern for a number of years. In addition, the city’s utility infrastructure is in poor condition, experiencing multiple breaks each winter.
MnDOT received municipal consent for the projects project in December 2014.
Project elements include –
* Reconstruct Highway #4 from approximately 200 feet south of 10th Avenue South to 11th Avenue North.
* Realign 7th Aveneue South to address the skew and increase safety.
* Construct two mini-roundabouts at the two existing signals on 1st Avenue.
* Provide back-in parallell parking downtown.
* Replace existing sidewalk and install new sidewalk.
* Bring all pedestrian accommodations up to American’s with Disability Act (ADA) standards.
* Upgrade city utility infrastructure – storm sewer throughout the corridor.
* Upgrade lighting standards and fixtures.
Work on the project design will run through September 2015, with agency approvals coming in from October 2015 to January 2016. Bids for the project will be collected from February 2016 to April 2016. Year #1 construction will occur from May 2016 to October 2016, with Year #2 construction leading to completion running from May 2017 to September 2017.
Highway #4 through-traffic will be detoured during most of the 2016-2017 construction season. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained. Detour routes include Highway #4 and Watonwan County Roads #57, #56 and #55. View/print through-traffic 2016 detour route
The construction will be done in three phases over the course of two years. Phase 1 and Phase 2 are constructed in 2016. Phase 1 includes the downtown and fairgrounds area. Phase 2 includes the area between the downtown and fairgrounds. Phase 3 is constructed in 2017 and includes the area north of downtown. View/print construction 2016-17 staging map
Cost for the project (excluding city utility work) is $6.9 million.
For more information on the project, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/hwy4stjames/
