The first big road project of the construction season in the Clearwater-Clear Lake area is about to begin.

 

In less than three weeks, MnDOT is scheduled to begin resurfacing a six-mile stretch of Hwy. 24 from just north of the BNSF railroad tracks in Clear Lake to just south of the I-94 Interchange in Clearwater.

 

MnDOT hosted an informational open house Wednesday at the Lions Pavilion in Clearwater to explain the project and  answer any questions from the public.

 

Construction Manager Rob Abfalter said the first step in the $1.8 million project will be concrete work, which is expected to begin April 30 - weather permitting.

 

He said all the sidewalks along Hwy. 24 in Clear Lake will be replaced. Intersections at Clark, Brooks, Arnold, Church and State Streets will be modified to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

 

Three pedestrian intersections in Clearwater will also be part of the concrete stage: Co. Rd. 75 and both Interstate ramps.

 

“They’re doing concrete work first. Once that’s done, Knife River will come in to do the resurfacing,” said Abfalter. “All the resurfacing and striping will be done at night.”

 

That’s expected to lessen the impact on daytime traffic. During the milling and paving process, drivers should be expecting narrow lanes, closed shoulders and no street parking on Hwy. 24. But traffic will continue to flow.

 

The concrete work will take place one side at a time to allow for pedestrian traffic.

 

The project also includes signal upgrades at the I-94 interchange ramps in Clearwater, Co. Rd. 75 in Clearwater and  Co. Rd. 8 in Clear Lake Twp.

 

That includes new LED lights, push button crossings and vocal “walk/don’t walk” signals.

 

Part of the project includes closing access points on both sides of the road just south of the railroad tracks and adding curb and sidewalk.

 

One current issue on Hwy. 24 has been the intersection at State Street in Clear Lake, where truck drivers have had difficulty making turns because of the tight radius.

 

Abfalter said those corners will be cut and modified to make turning easier. The south section of the concrete median will also be modified with a “bullnose” design to lower the front to road surface level so trucks can roll over it when turning. The sign on the median will also be pushed back for clearance.

 

“I think this will help,” said Abfalter. “And I think it should be pretty painless.”

 

He said the project’s completion date is officially Aug. 31, but it is expected to be substantially done by the end of June.