Xcel project continues to squeeze 2nd street
It’s going to be at least another 2 weeks before the 2nd street bridge lane restrictions over the Cannon River will be lifted. In a project that’s been plagued with delays from either cold or equipment failure, Xcel Energy says, as of this morning, work crews have another 150 feet of drilling under the river to accomplish. Crews expect to pull the new 6” gas main into place and make the necessary tie-ins during the week of February 9th. They hope to open the road completely the week of the 16th. Additional work will be completed at a later date when the existing gas main is removed from the bridge structure. MnDOT, who owns the Second Street (MN TH 19) Bridge and Right-of-Way, is regulating the work.
Council favors road configuration for Meadows Park
In July of 2013, Northfield acquired 40 acres of tax-forfeited land from Rice County at Fargaze Meadows. The City has 3 years to start work on it or the land goes back to the County. Northfield’s City Engineer Brian Erickson asked the council for consensus on transportation access through the area. The idea right now is to pinpoint some geographical areas to give to the Park Board to design elements within it. Erickson and consultant, Paul Miller brought forth 3 road configurations. The 3rd option Erickson described as a compromise and seemed to be the favored choice of council. It would realign Ford Street to sweep south and connect to Hall Avenue. The City has $35,000 in the budget this year for design work and $135,000 in 2016 for the start of Phase 1. City Administrator Haggenmiller admits that’s not much money and would likely only pay for the parking areas and some landscaping. Pownell said that the dollar amount, with all the other projects they have on their docket, concerns her. She went on to list several projects including the Fire station. The entire project’s cost has not yet been estimated. Mayor Graham said “we don’t have to do this all at once”. It could be 10 phases, it could be 100 phases. He’s excited about the opportunity for a large park that would offer several options including open space. There will be more public meetings before the final Master Plan comes to council in April. For maps and more information on Meadows Park click HERE.
Nfld hosts IG meeting
The City of Northfield hosted this quarter’s Intergovernmental meeting. Councilor Zweifel explains who’s in the meeting and what they do. The cities of Northfield and Dundas as well as the 4 surrounding townships and Rice and Dakota counties get together quarterly to discuss one topic, usually with a keynote speaker, and then give their own updates. The keynote speaker was Rice County Engineer Dennis Luebbe who talked about the upcoming County Road 1 project. While the project isn’t slated until 2018, there are several perspectives to consider including the School District and Meadows Park which could offer multi-modal transportation. Zweifel also brought up the fact that farm machinery also uses that road. Luebbe said they will be meeting with stakeholders next week to discuss the scope of the project. Zweifel added that it’s been really gratifying to see the collaboration blossom in the last 6 years she’s been a part of the intergovernmental meetings.
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The post Today’s news update – Xcel project continues to squeeze 2nd street; Council favors road configuration for Meadows Park; Nfld hosts IG meeting appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.