The final phase of the S. 8th Construction project is nearing completion as paving of phase two was completed yesterday. Thermoplastic striping and final signing will take place this week and into early next week. We will follow with the completion of the concrete pedestrian ramps, topsoil/seeding and a perform a general overall cleanup of the project. We anticipate being complete by Monday, October 8th.  

The main portion of curb and gutter throughout phase 2 was completed last week. This week crews are working on topsoiling and placing/finishing road base gravels. Next week the concrete crews will be back to finish up the curb and gutter and begin pouring the remaining approaches and pedstrian ramps throughout phase 2. We currently anticipate paving to begin around September 19th/20th with project completion around the first of October.

Crews have been plugging away on phase two. The new storm drain trunk line from Olive Street to Main Street has been completed as well as the excavation between Olive Street and Main Street on the west half of S. 8th Avenue. Crews have started hauling subbase gravel through this section as well. Excavation on the East half of S. 8th between Olive Street and Main Street should begin toward the end of this week/first of next week. By the end of next week we anticipate having the excavation completed and plan to continue hauling subbase gravel and base gravels with curb and gutter and concrete flatwork to follow.

South 8th Avenue between Harrison Street and Story Street will be re-opened to traffic tomorrow afternoon (7/13).

Paving was completed on Friday, July 6th between Harrison Street and Koch Street. Crews have since finished the colored concrete crosswalks and Thermoplastic pavement markings will begin on Tuesday, July 10th. It appears that phase one of the project will be re-opened to traffic between Harrison Street and Story Street on Monday, July 16th.

While crews have started partial work on phase two of the project we will be closing down S. 8th Avenue betwen Koch Street and West Main Street starting on Monday, July 16th. We anticipate phase two to be complete around the end of September/first of October.

Paving of the first phase of S. 8th is set to begin this morning (7/2). Paving will begin starting at Harrison Street and extend North to Koch Street. Paving is anticipated to be complete on Thursday, July 5th. Final pavement markings will start on Friday, July 6th and should be complete by Friday, July 13th. East/West access along College Street will be closed for the majority of this week and portions of next week.

In addition to paving, Knife River crews will also continue pouring concrete pedestrain ramps throughout phase one as well as install the colored and stamped crosswalks at various intersections throughout. They will also begin roadway excavation on a portion of phase two between Koch and Olive.

Phase one is still anticipated to be open to traffic on Monday, July 16th.

As you have noticed the first phase of the project is starting to come together now with curb and gutter recently being installed along S. 8^th Avenue extending from Harrison Street to Story Street. Over the next week and a half we will be finishing up the curb and gutter, pedestrian ramps, concrete driveway approaches, topsoil and finishing our gravel in anticipation of asphalt placement throughout the entire first phase (Harrison to Koch). Pending weather delays we are currently scheduled to pave S. 8^th Avenue from Harrison Street to Koch Street starting on July 2^nd and finishing up on either July 5^th or 6^th (breaking for the 4^th of July holiday). Following asphalt paving we will utilize the week of July 9^th to start and finish our pavement markings between Harrison Street and Koch Street as well as install colored concrete crosswalks at various intersections throughout. If the weather holds the first phase should be complete and open for use on Monday, July 16^th.

In addition to the above, starting next Wednesday, June 27^th, we will be extending our current work zone (which ends at Koch Street) to just short of Olive Street. With this work zone extension the current detour around the work zone will also be extended from Curtiss Street to Olive Street. This will enable our dirt and gravel crews to continue the reconstruct of S. 8^th and hopefully minimize the overall duration of our impacts. College Street will remain open to through traffic East/West as much as possible until we begin paving at which time it will be closed. We anticipate one more day of closure at the College Street intersection before paving.

We sincerely appreciate your continued patience as the project has no doubt presented some inconveniences but Knife River will continue to make every effort for this project to proceed as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

We also ask that you obey all traffic control devices/signs that are in place throughout the project. They are put up for your safety.