Portion of street to be closed for about 4 weeks

The $5.3 million road construction on South Broadway in Albert Lea is slated to begin Monday, according to a Minnesota Department of Transportation news release.

The resurfacing project will include replacement of the sidewalk and driveway approaches within the project limits, guardrail replacements, storm sewer and culvert repairs and sidewalk improvements. Brick pavers, trees, tree grates and decorative street lighting are part of the project from Main Street to Front Street.

Ulland Bros. of Albert Lea is the prime contractor.

Construction, which is slated to begin near Main Street and move south, is scheduled to be completed in early October.

The project also includes downsizing South Broadway from Main Street to Seventh Street from a four-lane to a three-lane highway. The road will have two regular driving lanes and a center turn lane, along with bike lanes that could also act as buffer zones on both sides of the street and parallel parking.

The project on South Broadway — also known as U.S. Highway 65 — runs from Main Street south to a half mile past Interstate 35.

The street will be closed to thru traffic from Front Street to Main Street for approximately four weeks. The detour route will be on East Main Street to Garfield Avenue.