$13 Million Heatherwood Road Extension Gets Green Light from St. Cloud Council

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud City Council has unanimously approved the Heatherwood Road Extension project, with construction scheduled for 2027.

The vote Monday night clears the way for extending the existing Clearwater/Heatherwood roadway and trail section from 300 feet west of 47th Street South to 60th Street South at 8th Avenue South. The work will also include a new bridge over Johnson Creek, along with new watermain, storm drain, gravity sanitary sewer, a lift station, and sanitary sewer forcemain.

Total project cost is estimated at $13 million. Federal funding will cover the largest share, with the city receiving $8.6 million in federal funds. Special assessments to abutting property owners will cover $2.2 million, and transportation dedicated local sales tax and utility revenue will make up the remaining $2.2 million.

The city is still awaiting clarification from the DOT on timing of funding availability and requirements of that award. Design and acquisition work can proceed, but confirmation on the federal funding will be needed before the project can be put out for bids.

The St. Cloud Planning Commission approved the project at its April 14th meeting. The Engineering Department held an informational meeting on April 21st, where six people representing four of the roughly 24 impacted properties attended. Questions raised at that meeting focused on access, assessments, and timing.

Final assessments will be based on actual construction costs once bids are received. Abutting property owners were mailed estimated assessments along with their public hearing notice.

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