Moving East

Work continues and the crew will start moving east today moving into the area between Northwestern Drive and Vestal Street for the removal of the existing layers of asphalt in that area.

While that removal process is taking place the contractor will continue with the placement of asphalt on the section from Vista Drive to Northwestern Drive today (July 31, 2014).  This "lift" of asphalt will be the second and final lift for this section of road and once the lift has cured the road will re-open to through traffic.

Placing asphalt on West 5th Street

Residents who live in the stretch of West 5th Street from Northwestern to Vestal Street will have limited access to their properties during the first part of the closure via either north or south intersection of Barton Street and West 5th Street.  This access is local access only.

The City is stressing caution when traveling in the area as the road will be rough following removal and there will be sections of the road that are closed off with cones for patching and to protect less stable areas prior to paving.  Again access is for local access only.

Once paving of this section begins the road will be closed to all traffic while the paving is taking place.  The paving portion of the project will take place over a period of two to three days and will be at the end of the closure period.  Please stay tuned to this blog for more updates.

Immediate Closures - Stage A Vista Drive to Northwestern

As crews were in the process of removing asphalt in Stage A between Vista Drive and Northwestern they encountered some sub-base that was not suitable to driving prior to the reapplication of asphalt.  The City along with the project engineer made the decision to close West 5th Street from Vista Drive to Northwestern Drive to all thru traffic.

Local Traffic - citizens who live in the closure area and EMERGENCY traffic to BVRMC will be allowed continued access to the area via the west side at the intersection of Vista Drive and West 5th Street.

This decision will allow us to save time and money in the project.  Continued traffic over a portion of this deteriorating sub-base would result in additional patching of large areas and a delay in the closure of this portion of the road of several days.  By reducing traffic and keeping the road clear the hope is that we can avoid the additional patching and get the asphalt placed yet this week.  This was of course pending the rest of the removals in this stage and determination of any additional patching.

Section of the road where the sub-base is not suitable to continued driving.

Pending further determination of the need to do patching on the area in Stage A the city hopes that the contractor can start placing asphalt back on this stage around the Wednesday / Thursday time frame.

While crews are working in the area and work equipment is moving in and out of the work zone flaggers will be posted at either end of the zone.  The flaggers will provide access as needed to the ER at BVRMC while on site.  Signage and access will be provided to the ER and residential homes during the late evening hours and when crews are not working; however, all entry and exit from the work area should occur at the intersection of Vista Drive and West 5th Street on the projects far west side.

Stage C Closures for Thursday, July 24th

Work continues in Stage 3 (East of the RR Tracks) with the curb and gutter replacement and sidewalk replacement.  Crews will be moving east and working on the intersection of West 5th Street and Michigan Street starting tomorrow (Thursday, July 24, 2014).  To facilitate this West 5th Street will be closed  at the Michigan Street intersection as shown in the following picture.

Michigan Street Closure Map

The City apologizes for the short notice.

Project Update - Road Closure Updates

While work has continued moving forward the work currently underway is mostly centered on the area east of the railroad tracks toward the downtown area where crews are finishing up curb and gutter repair, sidewalk upgrades, and some storm water work.  Hopefully the majority of these closing will be reopened within the next 4-8 working days (about a week to week and a half).

Meanwhile the prime contractor who will be removing the old asphalt and putting down the new lifts is starting to get ready to move in to Storm Lake for that phase of the work which will start again at the far west end of the project area in Stage A - west of Northwestern and 5th Street intersection.  The process of removal could start as early as Thursday, July 24, 2014.  Stage A is shown in the graphic below:

Stage A - Milling Schedule

During the removal process the road will be open but movement of traffic will be slow.  Following removal the project engineer will review the sub-base of the road and determine if there is any need for patching which will be completed prior to the actual final paving of the road.  The road will be uneven and rough following removal and drivers should SLOW DOWN and use CAUTION.

The patching process may require areas where the road will be closed and/or one lane traffic for a few days while the repairs are made and the concrete cures.

During the ENTIRE removal process and immediately after (until the final pavement is placed) CITIZENS ARE ASKED TO REDUCE SPEEDS AND TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS - including using alternative routes if possible when traveling in the construction area.  You should EXPECT DELAYS during these phases if traveling on West 5th Street.

As close to the removal as possible (pending the number of patches that are required) the asphalt paving crew will be back to pave the road.  During the paving process they will have the road closed to all traffic and traffic control will be present to reroute traffic.

Stock Photo - courtsey of Michiganpaving.com

Once they complete the removals in Stage A they will move to Stage B (originally the plan called for them to move to Stage C), which is the area east of the Northwestern and 5th intersection east to the railroad tracks.

Michigan Street Closure Notice

My apologizes for the short notice but we just got notice that the north part of Michigan Street at the intersection of West 5th Street and Michigan will be closed to allow the contractor on the project to install storm water piping and intakes.  Below is a graphic showing the closure area.

Michigan Street Closure Area

Please note that during this closure West 5th Street will remain open for east/west traffic but drivers are strongly urged to use caution and reduce speeds when traveling in the area for the safety of the construction crews.

The closure is anticipated to last approximately two weeks (on or about July 25th) depending on the weather conditions.

Work continues on the sidewalk and approaches in other areas of the project mostly east of the railroad tracks at this time.  We are working with the contractor on an updated schedule for the actual milling and resurfacing of the road which will be posted to the blog once we have that information.

MOVING TO STAGE C – ROAD CLOSURES INCLUDED

The contractor is wrapping up the sidewalk and curb and gutter work in Stage B and will begin Stage C on Wednesday, July 9^th.  The work in Stage C WILL REQUIRE STREET CLOSURES which will start on Wednesday, July 9^th.

Below is a map of the immediate closure area.

 

Crews will begin removals in this area on Wednesday, July 9^th.  Residents and Businesses will have access to their property during the construction.  The contractor will attempt to minimize the disturbance to the adjacent property owners, however, a few parking stalls may be inaccessible during this section of work.  Sidewalk ramps at this intersection will also be closed for this construction.

Traffic on West 5th Street continues to be a safety concern for the construction crews and citizens are encouraged and reminded to reduce speed in the project work zone area. Work will progress easterly as construction in Stage C continues with additional street closures as needed.   Please check back here for future updates.