By Deb Kroon
Review Staff Writer
In 2019, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin a two year project to make bridge and culvert repairs and resurface MN State Highway 91 from Russell, MN to just south of the Adrian Golf Course on the southern side of Adrian.
On Tuesday, March 27, members of the MN Department of Transportation were in Adrian hosting an open house to gather input from the public on the project. They had draft plans, detailed maps, google maps and the project managers from District 7 (Nobles County) and District 8 (Murray County) on hand to answer questions, listen to concerns and suggestions the public had to offer. “The plans are about 60% complete,” said Rebecca Arndt, contact person for District 7. “It is easier to get input from the public, to consider possible adjustments now than after the project starts. I am really pleased,” she continued, “120 people signed up online to receive email updates before today. We are really pleased. That is more than we expected.”
The open house was held at the American Legion in Adrian from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Legion hall was full of people who had come to see how the project would effect them. More than fifty people came during the first hour and that was just the people who signed in. Included in the people walking around, looking at maps and visiting with neighbors were County Commissioner, Gene Metz; Adrian Mayor, John Faber; City Administrator, Bruce Heitkamp; as well as business owners/managers and many people who live along Highway 91. Most of the questions and comments were positive and both District 7 project manager, Matt Young and Rebecca were pleased with the good attitudes of the people present.
The State Highway 91 project will be done in two phases. In the late summer and fall of 2019, Highway 91 will be closed to all but local traffic in order to replace two box culvert bridges, the first bridge, 5.5 miles north of Adrian and the second bridge, 14.8 miles north. Along with the replacement of these two bridges, they will repair erosion, clean out culverts and replace three additional culverts. During this phase traffic traveling north on Highway 91 will be detoured to County Highway 15, north to County Highway 29, and then north to Highway 30 near Hadley, MN. There will be two bridges replaced along Highway 91 in Murray County, as well as culvert work, so there will be detours in Murray County also.
In 2020, the second phase will begin. “This is a preservation project,” Rebecca explained. “We are maintaining the system now in order to prevent major repairs in the future.” Highway 91 will be resurfaced from Russell, MN south through Adrian to just past the Adrian Golf Course. The State will be adding a right turn lane at the intersection of Highway 91 and County Road 14. They will also be adding new lighting at the intersections of Highway 91 and County Roads 14, 16, 18 and 20. Highway 91 will be open to traffic during this phase, but there will be lane closures and traffic delays.
For the city of Adrian, all of Maine Street, with the exception of the three blocks that were redone in 1999, (First Street to Fourth Street), will get a new surface and new sidewalks. “If the sidewalk on a block is in good shape and the curbing is ADA compliant, nothing will be done” said Rebecca. “The regulations have changed some, so you may see some curbing redone that are handicap accessible now.” Otherwise all the way down Maine Street on both sides will see new level sidewalks, where the corners are handicap accessible. Some of the private driveway skirts will be redone also . The State had the state arborist come into town and look at the trees that are in the right-of-way. There are about 8-10 trees that are unhealthy and will be taken down. Residential areas on the southern side of Adrian that don’t have sidewalks now will get them. You will be able to walk from the golf course all the way through the downtown area. The cost is to be taken care of by the State and the City.
The total cost of this project is estimated to be close to 10.7 million.
If there is shown to be a need, the State will host another of these open houses closer to the start date of the project. “We impact people in many ways all the time,” Rebecca stated. “The inconveniences during the reconstruction/resurfacing will be for the better good in the long run.” The benefits of this project will be a smoother road surface, improved drainage, increased safety and mobility for pedestrians.
To sign up for email updates, or just for more information visit the website mndot.gov/d7/projects/hwy91. The maps are not on the site yet, but will be as soon as they are finalized.
