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.