Road likely to stay 2 lanes

The Bridge Avenue corridor may undergo a complete reconstruction in the next five years.

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved authorizing staff to submit an application for federal funding for the reconstruction of Bridge Avenue from Hammer Road south to Marshall Street.

Albert Lea City Engineer Steven Jahnke said there are no changes on the number of lanes planned with the possible project, though it could include the addition of a turn lane on the Hawthorne Street intersection and new traffic lights on Hawthorne, Richway Drive and Hammer Road.

“The road’s deteriorating quickly, and it’s in need for reconstruction,” Jahnke said.

If approved, the federal funds likely won’t arrive until 2020, he said. The project is estimated to cost $7.5 million at that time.

The possible project is a collaboration between the city of Albert Lea and Freeborn County. The council and county board reached a consensus to apply for the funding at a Dec. 10 joint meeting.

Federal funds would pay for 80 percent of the project, with local funds paying for the remaining 20 percent.

Jahnke said the city will be responsible for underground utility work in connection with the project. He said a cost share for the rest of the project hasn’t been determined.

Sixth Ward Councilor Al “Minnow” Brooks said he thinks reconstruction is vital to try to clear up traffic around the Bridge Avenue and Hawthorne Street intersection.

Fourth Ward Councilor Reid Olson said the project definitely needs to be completed and the council has been looking at conducting the project for approximately 12 years.

“Hopefully we can do it in the future. … It’s about time we get it done,” Olson said.

In other news, the council:

• Approved feasibility reports for the Lake Chapeau Drive and Edgewater Drive reconstruction projects and the neighborhood improvement project in the southern part of the city. Public hearings will be Feb. 22.

• Approved a resolution authorizing a Small Cities Development Program grant application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for rehabilitation downtown. The city’s project has advanced from the preliminary round of application review to final review.

• Heard a detailed review of Shell Rock River Watershed District’s first 10 years. District Administrator Brett Behnke and Director of Field Operations Andy Henschel presented to the board and fielded questions afterwards, mainly pertaining to the progress of various projects and the dredging of Fountain Lake.