During the next three years, six major area road construction projects valued at $18.

Tuesday, October 19, 1999

During the next three years, six major area road construction projects valued at $18.9 million will present difficult challenges for area businesses.

But if business owners pool their resources, plan ahead and inform the Minnesota Department of Transportation about their assessability needs, they can prosper during extensive projects.

That was the message MnDOT spokesman Brian Jergenson delivered to Albert Lea business owners Monday. The meeting was a first of its kind in Minnesota, with several MnDOT engineers pledging to partner with the community during the construction.

MnDOT plans to use Albert Lea as a model of how Minnesota businesses thrived during extensive construction projects. MnDOt will then take those examples to other communities.

Similar to an effort in Wisconsin, the collaboration is called, &uot;We’re in this together.&uot;

While the first major project, replacing two Main Street Bridges over the Shell Rock River and Union Pacific Railroad viaduct, isn’t expected to begin until May, Jergenson said the time to start planning is now.

&uot;MnDOT has always been sensitive to businesses in communities,&uot; Jergenson said. &uot;We’re all in this together. This is an effort to get the word out to give them the tools and concepts and have them get started now.

&uot;This is the first time we have done this with any business community in Minnesota,&uot; he added. &uot;We see this as an example with Albert Lea on the ground floor. We will then expand it accross the state.&uot;

First, Jergenson said businesses need to address misguided perceptions, businesses don’t close during road construction and there’s always access.

He said MnDOT will permit business to place signs near construction zones, but it’s less expensive when efforts are pooled with a few very visible signs placed strategically.

&uot;MnDOT doesn’t pay for these signs,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s something you as business owners you will have to provide. That’s why you should pool your resources.&uot;

Mass advertising campaigns will also save money.

He also suggested informing local media of any construction news and encouraging the media to print all construction maps.

&uot;Some communities have had construction parties, or ‘Hard Hat’ promotions,&uot; he said. &uot;You need to hold events prior to the construction.&uot;

During construction, he said, MnDOT will also work with business to minimize any inconvenience. While detours are planned, MnDOT will keep interstate exit ramps open as long as possible by installing bypasses.

The state department will also add temporary alternative entrances into businesses if that’s necessary, he said as another example.

But MnDOT must know what the local needs are before it can help.

He said the Albert Lea/Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce will serve as a liason between the business community, city, county and MnDOT during the construction.

&uot;We will have meetings from now until they hold the first public hearings to talk about what they talked about today,&uot; said Stephanie Brand, Chamber of Commerce president.

Jergenson also advised the business community to attend all information meetings, stay in touch with the MnDOT project managers, and for business owners to share what they learn with other people.

&uot;MnDot can help with a variety of techniques,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s what we’re hoping we can do here tonight is start that early cooperation.&uot;

Those were welcome words for at least one local business owner.

&uot;Maybe it’s a new era where the DOT want to work with you,&uot; said Ron Kraus, co-owner of Kraus Foods in Albert Lea. &uot;That’s good to see. I get the feeling they plan to help businesses as much as they can.&uot;