Supply Chain Issues Delay Road Projects in St. Cloud

(KNSI) – Two major road and utility projects in St. Cloud will most likely be delayed at least a year before getting finished.

Road and sewer improvements to Cooper Avenue South and Wilson Avenue Northeast are doubtful to be completed in the original time frame because of supply chain issues and federal money causing many cities and counties to work on infrastructure projects.

Mayor Dave Kleis says the city had no choice but to give contractors options.

“If we would have bid it out and had it all to be done this year, without giving the flexibility of a two-year cycle, we would have had nobody bid for it.”

The mayor says it was the right move to make in the current economic climate.

“If it doesn’t happen, we’re still at 2022 prices for 2023 projects. Which, the way inflation is, probably still pretty good.”

The Cooper Avenue South project was approved in May of 2021. The $6.1 million projects will redo Cooper Avenue, from 12th Street to 38th Street South. The improvements include sanitary sewer, water main, street reconstruction, curb and gutter, storm drain, sidewalk, and street lighting.

Bids for the Wilson Avenue project came in at $4.6 million. The project includes storm drain and road improvements between Highway 23 and 1st Street Northeast.

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