MnDOT plans to resurface Hwy. 24 in Clearwater and Clear Lake in 2018.

 

Tuesday evening, MnDOT held an open house at Clear Lake City Hall to update the public about the project, which is estimated at $2.3 million.

 

Project Manager Luke Wehseler said the project includes mill and overlay of the bituminous from the railroad tracks south of Hwy. 10 to the bridge over I-94 in Clearwater.

 

The project also includes pedestrian improvements along a five-block stretch on boths sides of Hwy. 24 in Clear Lake, plus traffic signal upgrades at the I-94 interchange ramps in Clearwater, Co. Rd. 75 and Co. Rd. 8 in Clear Lake.

 

 Members of community attended the open house to ask questions about the project.

 

Rory Amundsen, owner of The Kettle in Clearwater, said he was concerned about how it would affect his business.

 

“They do construction in the summer and summer is my peak season,” he said. “It affects everyone, but how can we prioritize it so  people aren’t negatively affected.”

 

Wehseler said the bituminous part of the project should take about two weeks from the time the  milling begins, “if we have good weather and the traffic isn’t too bad.”

 

The plan is to keep one lane open at all times. He said the new bridge over the Mississippi River will be completed by then, and the resurfacing will tie into that project.

 

Concrete work will only be done in downtown Clear Lake. MnDOT is acquiring a small amount of right of way to make sidewalk and safety improvements required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which entails gradual slopes at intersections.

 

One issue for truck and farm equipment drivers is the intersection at Hwy. 24 and State Street in Clear Lake. A number of people commented Tuesday there isn’t enough room to turn since a median was constructed near the tracks a few months ago.

 

Ross Imholte said the road width is only 16 feet now, and making turns at the intersection will be worse if the sidewalks as designed are added.

 

He wondered if MnDOT would consider purchasing the building on the corner and widening the road.

 

Clear Lake Mayor Tim Goenner suggested acquiring some right of way just south of the tracks and making a right turn lane onto State Street.

 

Wehseler said that isn’t in the current plan or the budget.  

 

 “We’ll take a look at it. If there’s something we can do, well get it in,” he said.

 

Wehseler also said he was in contact with Clearwater city officials about traffic.

 

“Traffic picks up around noon Thursday, so we may put provisions in there to not work in Clearwater after noon Thursday,” he said. “And maybe the same in Clear Lake. It’s the same traffic.”

 

There is no starting date for the project.