It’s going to be a busy summer of construction in Albert Lea.

With almost $18 million in total project costs this year — including some that began in 2007 — many of the city’s amenities will be seeing a major overhaul during the next few months.

This is especially true of road construction.

Over the next few months, several streets in Albert Lea will be receiving major upgrades.

City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the two road projects that will cause the most disruption to people’s daily driving will be the 2008 Neighborhood Improvement Project and the Lakewood, Hawthorne, Lakeview and Third Street Overlay Project.

“When they’re out working, please be careful driving in those areas or use alternate routes to help you and the construction,” Jahnke said.

The following are descriptions of the city’s road projects:

– The neighborhood improvement project involves the mill, overlay, curb replacement and sidewalk replacement on Crescent Drive, Willamor Drive, the Fairway, South Lane, Massee Street, Luther Place, Blackmer Avenue, Elmira Street, Martin Road, Cedar Avenue, Lee Place, North Lane, Garden Road, Oriele Drive and Stanley Avenue.

The project cost was estimated at $657,000.

It is scheduled to be completed from June through August.

The Lakewood, Hawthorne, Lakeview and Third Street Overlay Project, which is also set to be completed from June through August, includes the mill, overlay, curb replacement and sidewalk replacement on certain areas of the identified state-aid streets.

Specifically, the construction will be on Hawthorne Street from Lakewood Avenue to Garfield Avenue, Lakewood Avenue from Richway Drive to North Shore Avenue, Lakeview Boulevard from Fountain Street to Vine Avenue, and Third Street from Madison Avenue to Newton Avenue.

The winning bid for the project recently came in at about $336,000, with the contract going to Ulland Bros. of Albert Lea. The estimated cost was about $450,000.

– The construction has already begun for a 12-inch water main loop from the existing water system on S.E. Marshall Street east to State Park Road and north to the existing system at East Main Street.

When completed, the water main loop will improve the reliability of the water system that was installed east of Happy Trails Lane in 2005 and ensure adequate flow and pressure to this area.

Without the loop, the area east of Blake Avenue would be on a dead-end line. If any leaks or disruptions in service occur, water would not be available to businesses and residences east of Blake Avenue.

Estimated total costs of the improvement are about $411,000.

– A sidewalk project along Highway 13 from Elmira Street to Fountain Street, going through Shoff Park and on the west side of Ninth Avenue from Fountain Street to Clark Street came about after a community policing meeting last fall at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

The residents at the facility requested the sidewalk for safer and easier access down the street and to the Skyline Plaza. It would also assist children on their way to the areas near Southwest Middle School and Sibley Elementary School.

The new sidewalk would cover about 2,600 feet.

Estimated total costs of the improvement are $120,000.

It would be completed from August through November.

– The bid for improvements on West Ninth Street and Wedgewood Road, including the installation of sanitary sewer, storm water and water main, as well as bituminous roadway, was recently awarded to Sorensen Bros. of Albert Lea for a cost of $565,000.

Costs were estimated at about $640,000.

The project is set to begin in July and to be completed in the summer of 2009.

– Construction on 14th Street and the storm water main near the South Industrial Park began in the spring and is expected to be completed in the fall.

Costs were estimated at about $1.9 million.

– The Pearl and Elizabeth lift stations and street reconstruction began in the fall of 2007 and should be completed sometime before the end of spring.

Costs were estimated at $350,000.

– The Eighth Avenue storm lift upgrades began in the fall of 2007 and should be completed sometime before the end of spring.

Costs were estimated at $1.4 million.

– Railroad water main crossings will be upgraded on Newton Avenue, Johnson Street, Seventh Street and St. Thomas Avenue.

The work will be completed from July through September for an estimated cost of $85,000.

– In an upcoming Albert Lea City Council meeting, there will be two projects proposed to the council.

The first is for the reconstruction of Ridge Road from the Fairway to Garden Road.

The project cost is estimated to be $240,000.

If it is approved the project would be completed from August to November.

The second is for the construction on William and St. Mary.

The project cost is estimated at $350,000.

If it is approved the project would also be completed from August to November.

– The street department began its annual road chip sealing program on Monday.

Chip sealing involves a process in which a thin layer of oil and rocks are used to extend the life of the roadway.

The department will begin with Hammer Road. The road will be chip sealed from the Greenwood Drive bridge to the far east end. Other streets that will be chip sealed include Y.H. Hanson Avenue, Hershey Street, Sykes Street, Ekko Avenue, Plaza Street East of Bridge Street, Hi Tec Avenue, Westron Street, Service Road, Airport Road, Troy Road, Glenview Drive and Lake Chapeau Drive to the City Arena. Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed in four weeks.

The roadways will not be closed during the chip sealing process.