Waite Park Council Approves 2023 Road Improvement Contract

(KNSI) – Waite Park City Council met Thursday at 7:00 a.m. to discuss two bids for its summer road improvement program.

City Engineer Dave Blommel recommended the award be given to Minnesota Paving and Materials for just under $2.5 million. “Were a little higher than the estimate, about 200,000 over, but within the budget that we had planned for in our Capital Improvement Plan last December when things were set. So, between the funding package Carla’s put together with TIF, sales tax, and general fund dollars that we plan for street, looks like everything’s good to go,” he said.

The council approved the recommendation unanimously. It was the only item for the special session. Road work will begin in early July.

The city didn’t solicit bids until late spring and councilors expressed a preference to handle the issue much earlier next fiscal year. Blommel said that is doable.

“The trick is we just got to get our survey in before the snow flies. We can even wait to start the design in earnest. Just getting that survey in, that’s what we waited for [until] late April,” says Blommel.

The work includes curb and gutter repair, access ramps to ensure Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and resurfacing. A list of the streets affected is below.

– 11th Ave (Division Street to 1st Street North)

– 12th Ave (Division Street to 1st Street North)

– 1st Street North (10th Avenue to 13th Avenue)

– Alley between 10th Avenue and 9th Avenue (from 1st Street to 2nd Street)

– Alley between 9th Avenue and 8th Avenue (from 1st Street to 2nd Street)

– Alley between 4th Avenue and 3rd Avenue (from Railroad Tracks to 2nd Street)

– 7th Street South (28th Avenue to Rock on Trucking)

– 3rd Street South (10th Avenue South to 2nd Avenue South)

– Park Meadows Drive (2nd Avenue to end of loop)

– 10th Avenue South (7th Street to Sunwood Park Drive)

– 8th Street South (10th Avenue to end of roadway)

– 11th Ave South (cul-de-sac)