Newlander/Elm Street Improvements Project Update for 7/5-7/8 & Beyond
We are aware that the following project schedule will affect parking around the parade route (but not the parade route itself) during Karl Oskar Days, and will be an interruption in general to the area. However, the contractor cannot delay the project even for a week for a non-weather related event. The scheduling for this project is tight and the project must be completed before the ground freezes. The project is anticipated to be complete in October. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Updates and project newsletters can be viewed HERE.
What to Expect Next Week (7/5 to 7/8): Park Construction will be mobilizing to the site on Tuesday, July 5th to begin removing the pavement on Newlander Ave, Elm St. and a portion of the adjacent driveways. The bituminous pavement (blacktop) will be removed by a reclaim machine which will grind up the pavement surface and blend the material with the underlying aggregate base. This material will be used as a driving surface while the site is under construction. If you notice a pink paint mark on your driveway. This is the extent of the driveway removal. Don’t worry! Your driveway will be replaced with the same material (blacktop or concrete) that is there prior to construction.
Park will also be removing a large tree in the southwest corner of Newlander Ave. & Elm St. as well as some shrubs and other planting in the raingarden on the east side of Elm St. Please review the landscaping section of this newsletter for important information about private property within the right-of-way.
The contractor will be replacing the watermain as part of the project so they will be installing a temporary water system to maintain water service for adjacent residences. The temporary water piping will be placed along the side of the road within the boulevards with garden hoses connected to an exterior spigot at each home. The temporary water lines are thoroughly disinfected and flushed prior to being placed into service. A City representative or member of the construction crew will need to enter you home to disconnect your water meter. This will prevent water from running backwards through your meter while the temporary water is in use. The temporary water will remain in place until the new watermain is constructed and tested, likely mid-September. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the Project Contact on the back of this page or the City Public Works Dept.
What’s Coming Up: Following the removals and temporary water service installation, Park will begin installing isolation valving on the existing watermain. This will require at least two (2) water service interruptions. If you are receiving this letter, you should expect to be impacted by at least one (1) water shutdown. Shutdowns will occur on Monday-Thursday between the hours of 10:00 to 3:00. When a definitive date/time for the shutdown is known, the crew will hand out notices (at least 24 hours in advance) to each impacted residence. Please check the project page on the City website for most current information on watermain shutdowns.
The contractor will also begin removing and replacing underground utilities. This is a slow process and requires deep excavations to complete. The sanitary sewer is typically the deepest utility so it will be replaced first beginning on the west end of Newlander Ave working toward the east then north and south on Elm St. This work will take 3-4 weeks to complete. The watermain replacement will be completed next. After the watermain and sanitary sewer lines are tested, the crews will begin replacing the service lines for each home. The storm sewer will be completed last. Please remember that schedules are subject to change.
Traffic: will be limited for during the working hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm in the immediate area of the improvements project. In locations where a deep excavation is needed for utility replacement, vehicular access may be limited for an extended period of time. The contractor will make every effort to accommodate access but please limit the number of trips to and from your home as much as possible.
Our goals is that all streets will be passable at the end of each working day. Special accommodations will be made to allow emergency vehicle access if needed. If you or someone you know requires special access consideration, please contact the City and we will be sure to alert the contractor of your situation. The duration of the street improvements is expected to take about three to four months but, as always, the schedule and duration of work is weather dependent.
Mailboxes: Mail delivery vehicles will not be traveling through the project site during construction activities. The contractor will salvage your existing mailboxes and post from the boulevard in front of your home and place it alongside of your garage for the duration of the project. Do not discard the mailbox or post. The contractor will reinstall the same mailbox when the project is complete. If you would like to purchase a new mailbox for the contractor to install, you are welcome to do so.
The contractor will be setting up a temporary mailbox cluster for all impacted residents during the first week of construction. The location of the temporary cluster is determined by the Postmaster and is not known at this time. Please watch for a notice in your mail for the temporary location. If you are uncomfortable receiving mail at the temporary location, we suggest that you contact the post office and request that your mail is held for pick up at the post office for the duration of the project.
Garbage & Recycling Receptacles: Garbage hauling will be uninterrupted throughout the duration of the project. Regardless of the road condition be sure to bring your receptacles to the end of your driveway and label your receptacle (lid and can) with your house number. If the garbage truck is unable to access your driveway, the Contractor will move your receptacles to an accessible location and return them to your driveway at the end of the day. Note: Only receptacles will be moved; trash bags that are not inside receptacles will not be taken.
Landscaping: If you have any landscaping or irrigation systems installed within the City’s Right-of-Way, it is your responsibility to remove these items prior to the start of construction. The right-of-way is generally located 30-40 feet from the centerline of the road. Damage to these items will be repaired at the property owner’s expense. If you are unsure if you have property within the right-of-way, the Chisago Co. GIS Interactive Map is a good resource https://gis.chisagocounty.us/Link/jsfe/index.aspx
Safety: We urge you to use caution around the work site. Your assistance in reminding area children to stay clear of construction operations, especially equipment, is helpful in maintaining a safe environment. Your patience and cooperation during this construction project is greatly appreciated.
