Waseca sees construction

With summer now in full swing, construction season has returned to Waseca. 

 

City Engineer Nate Willey said there is a lot of work underway in Waseca this summer, with projects ranging from rehabilitating significant lengths of roadways to replacing small portions of various sidewalks. He provided details about six projects either already underway or scheduled to begin in the next few weeks.  

 

Second Street NW Reconstruction

This project consists of the complete reconstruction of Second Street NW from Elm Avenue to Seventh Avenue with sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water replacement. The scope of the work, contracted by Wencl Construction Inc., will also include new sidewalk and ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), new street lights between Elm Avenue and Third Avenue and sanitary sewer and water service replacements to near the property line.

 

Wiley reports the project will be completed in three major phases. Phase one includes underground utilities and road base between Fourth and Seventh Avenues. Phase two includes underground utilities and road base from Elm Avenue up to, and including, Fourth Avenue. Phase three is the paving of street surfaces, sidewalk and driveway entries along the entire project, Elm Avenue to Seventh Avenue.

 

Work on the first phase is expected to begin late June with substantial completion to be reached by Nov. 7. Final completion, including final street paving, punch list items, plantings, final grading and turf restoration to be completed by June 19, 2026. 

 

During construction, the entire project area (or phase) will be closed to through traffic. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained whenever feasible. 

 

Fourth Street SW (County State Aid Highway 4) Rehabilitation

The joint Waseca County and City of Waseca project contracted through WW Blacktopping Inc. involves the rehabilitation (asphalt mill and overlay) of Fourth Street SW from Fifth Avenue SW to Johnson Avenue. The scope of the work, in addition to the mill and overlay, includes the replacement of deficient sections of sidewalk, curb and gutter, and replacement of granular driveway approaches with concrete, ADA sidewalk ramp upgrades and storm sewer improvements at the Seventh Avenue intersection, full depth pavement replacement of the west parking lane and the Seventh Avenue intersection pavement and utility fixture adjustments. 

 

A total of 30 working days have been allotted for substantial completion of this project with final completion (final grading and turf establishment) to be achieved within 14 days of substantial completion. The entire project area will be closed to through traffic during construction. The Seventh Avenue intersection and other sections will be temporarily closed as work progresses, and complete closure will occur for a few days during the milling and paving operations. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained whenever feasible. 

 

Fourteenth Avenue SE/ 139th Street/ 345th Avenue Reconstruction

Contracted through Ulland Brothers Inc., this joint Woodville Township and City of Waseca project involves the reconstruction of Fourteenth Avenue SE, which transitions to 139th Street/ 345th Avenue from Eighth Street SE to 145th Street. 

 

Additional work includes culvert replacement and ditch grading. Construction began the week of June 9 at the east end of the project and will progress in sections to the west until the entire project is ready for asphalt paving. Project completion is to be reached by Sept. 26. The entire project will be closed to through traffic during construction. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained whenever feasible. 

 

Noetzel’s Addition Water System Improvements

This project involves the replacement of water mains and other services which are more than 70 years old in Noetzel’s Addition (north of Eighth Avenue NE between Ninth Street NE and Clear Lake Drive). Construction, contracted by Steve James Excavating Inc., is expected to begin the week of July 7. Substantial completion is to be reached by Oct. 17 with final completion, including punchlist items and turf establishment, to be completed by June 19, 2026. Minimal impacts to traffic are anticipated and access to residences will be maintained during construction. 

 

Waseca Intermediate School Sidewalk Connector

The joint Waseca School District and City of Waseca project contracted through ICON LLC involves the construction of new ADA sidewalk and ramps along the west side of the Waseca Intermediate School driveway between 22nd Avenue NW and the north end of the school parking lot. 

 

Work began the week of June 9. During construction all, or portions of, that driveway will be closed to traffic. This project is to be substantially completed on, or before, Aug. 15 with final completion, including restoration and seeding, within 14 days of project substantial completion. 

 

Downtown Brick Paver Replacement - Stage 2

This project is stage two of four to replace failing downtown brick pavers with standard concrete. The work this year, contracted through Steve James Excavating Inc., will take place along the west side of South State Street (Hwy 13) between Elm Avenue and the railroad tracks. 

 

Construction began on June 13 and is to be substantially completed by Aug. 29. During construction, the adjacent on-street parking lane and portions of the sidewalk will be closed.

 

Additional project information, including maps and estimated or final costs, can be found on the City of Waseca website at https://www.ci.waseca.mn.us/engineering/pages/capital-improvement-projec...