Frequently Asked Questions About the Construction
*** Please note that some of the requirements for the contractor are still being discussed and are subject to change. Check back here for the latest information.
Design and Traffic Issues
- Why build medians?
- Why build bumpouts?
- Why not build medians between intersections and leave cross streets open – at least to left turning traffic?
- Will traffic speed up or slow down? Why not build medians north of Chatham?
- Why not wait and build a bypass?
- Why does Grace Street have a median through it?
- Will there be more signals or will signals be moved?
- Will there be left turn arrows on the signals?
- Will U-Turns be allowed?
- Will the road be widened?
- Will the sidewalk be moved closer to my house?
- Will my driveway be removed?
- Will the water or sewer line to my house or business be replaced?
- How will the medians and bumpouts affect snow removal?
- Who will maintain the plantings?
Construction Impacts
- When will construction begin and end?
- Will the contractor be allowed to work everyday?
- Will the contractor be allowed to work 24 hours a day?
- Will there be noise restrictions during construction?
- Will the traffic stay on the highway or will there be a detour?
- Where will the detours be?
- Will Front Street be repaired before or after the project
- Will there be a temporary signal at Front and Broadway?
- How will I access my home or business during construction?
- Will there be signs for my business placed on the detour?
- Does the state compensate businesses for lost revenues during construction?
- How will emergency services get access to my location when the highway is torn up?
- Will the construction activity damage my building or home and, if so, who pays for repairs?
- Will there be utility service interruptions?
Economic Effects
- How much will the project cost?
- How is the project funded?
- Will the City assess landowners for any of the work?
- Will this project result in jobs in Saint Peter?
Other Informatio
Design and Traffic Issues
Why build medians?
Raised medians are extremely effective at improving the safety of pedestrians crossing wide roadways because the pedestrian can deal with traffic from one direction at a time and has a safe refuge in the center. They are also effective at calming traffic by reducing the wide open feeling of the road. Vehicle crashes are also reduced because the medians limit the number of points where left turns can be made. Left turns cause more accidents than other types of vehicle turns.
Why build bumpouts?
Bumpouts reduce the distance pedestrians are exposed to vehicle traffic and improve the visibility both of the pedestrian and the approaching traffic by placing the curb out about even with the line of parked cars.
Why not build medians between intersections and leave cross streets open – at least to left turning traffic?
One block medians have the benefit of separating opposing traffic streams and eliminating mid-block left turns. Additional benefits are gained, however, when the medians are more than one block long. The further reduced left turn locations will result in fewer crashes. The wide median provides a pedestrian refuge at the intersections that have a median through them. Also, because the left turn lanes would be back to back, the resulting six foot wide median would not be sufficient to allow plantings or other vertical features that are most important for a traffic calming effect.
Will traffic speed up or slow down?
Raised medians and bumpouts have a traffic calming effect because they decrease a driver’s comfort with high speeds. On the other hand, there will be fewer vehicles slowing down due to conflicting turning vehicles. The combination of these effects is expected to reduce the extremes and bring speeds closer to the posted limits.
Why not build medians north of Chatham?
Although proposed as part of a long term plan, the 2009 reconstruction project will not include medians because the pavement under the shoulders is not adequate to support the traffic loads that would be shifted onto it. This was the case south of Walnut too, but extensive utility replacement needs are causing the need for pavement reconstruction in this area.
Why not wait and build a bypass?
A Saint Peter bypass is still decades away with current funding levels. The utility reconstruction, pavement resurfacing, and safety improvements will provide many years of benefits.
Why does Grace Street have a median through it?
During earlier project development, one of the options was to have a median from Walnut to Grace and from Grace to Broadway. There was a concern that too many streets in the downtown were being closed off to left turns. Also, although Grace was formerly classified a collector street, since the extension of Broadway to the west, the goal has been to shift the traffic off of Grace and onto Broadway.
Will there be more signals or will signals be moved?
The existing signals will remain in place and a new signal will be added at the south junction with Hwy. 22.
Will there be left turn arrows on the signals?
Yes, all the signals on Hwy. 169 will have left turn arrows added. Left turns will be what is called protected-permitted, so that left turns have the right of way during the green arrow phase and they are allowed to turn, but must yield to thru traffic on the green ball phase. The side streets will not have left turn arrows.
Will U-Turns be allowed?
Yes. However, if an unanticipated safety problem later develops, they may be restricted.
Will the road be widened?
Between Jefferson and Walnut the road will be widened by one foot on each side. There will be no widening between Walnut and Broadway. Just north of Broadway the road will be narrowed by about six feet, but widened by two feet at the intersection with Chestnut. From Chestnut to Chatham the width will transition down to the current dimension.
Will the sidewalk be moved closer to my house?
No. Where deterioration and utility work result in a need for sidewalk removal, it will be replaced at its current width in its current location. Sidewalk may be added south of Hwy. 22 and north of Ramsey.
Will my driveway be removed?
Unnecessary accesses onto Hwy. 169 will be removed to improve safety and mobility. If it appears that your home or business has multiple accesses, we will contact you about removing the access to the highway.
Will the water or sewer line to my house or business be replaced?
In those areas where water and/or sewer mains are being replaced (Jefferson to Chestnut, and Skaro to Ramsey) your water service line will need to be replaced if it is a lead pipe and your sewer service line will be replaced if it is clay tile. Also, sewer service will be added if your connection is under another person’s house. Contact the City of St. Peter’s Public Works Department (507-934-0670) if you have further questions.
How will the medians and bumpouts affect snow removal?
These features, while great for safety, make snow removal more difficult. The snow will continue to be plowed from the center to the outside of the roadway where it will need to be loaded and removed. Removal will take extra time as operators need to maneuver around the bumpouts.
Who will maintain the plantings?
The City will have staff maintain the vegetation in the medians.
Construction Impacts
When will construction begin and end?
We expect construction to start around the beginning of June and be substantially complete (open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic all the way through) by Thanksgiving.
Will the contractor be allowed to work everyday?
Yes. There will be limited restrictions such as avoiding Minnesota Square Park during the Fourth of July and the Rockbend Folk Festival.
Will the contractor be allowed to work 24 hours a day?
Possibly, this will depend on the Contractor’s schedule and work restrictions placed on the Contractor by Mn/DOT and the City. In general, any work will be allowed between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Work that would be allowed after 9:00 p.m. will have restrictions to minimize noise levels.
Will there be noise restrictions during construction?
Yes, Mn/DOT has basic noise restrictions required on all projects. Any work down between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. will have additional noise restrictions.
Will the traffic stay on the highway or will there be a detour?
There will most likely be detours. The contractor decides how to handle traffic, but detours will be allowed to reduce construction time. The overriding philosophy is to allow the contractor to work as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can get done quickly.
Where will the allowable detour routes be?
This is still being resolved, but the current plan is to require trucks traveling through to use a detour from Hwy. 169 to Hwy. 99 to County Rd. 40 to County Rd. 15 to Hwy. 22 to Hwy. 169. Cars (and trucks with a destination in St. Peter) will be split between northbound and southbound traffic. The northbound detour will be along Front Street from Jefferson to Chatham. Front may be temporarily converted to a one way for part or all of its length. The southbound detour will be Chatham to 3rd to Broadway to Washington to Jefferson. The contractor may also use College, Nassau, or Broadway if a shorter detour can be used. The goal is to keep traffic as close to the existing route as possible.
Will Front Street be repaired before or after the project?
Any necessary repairs will be done after the highway detour is removed.
Will there be a temporary signal at Front and Broadway?
A signal or all-way stop is being considered. Changes in traffic control will also be considered at other intersections on the detour routes.
How will I access my home or business during construction?
If there is access to your home or business from the alley or side street, these will be your best options. Walking access over at least a gravel surface will be maintained to those front doors where it is needed except for limited 48 hour periods where work in that space will be necessary. You will receive notification of those times at least one week in advance.
Will there be signs for my business placed on the detour?
The contractor will be required to place signs along the detour for businesses along Hwy. 169. Multiple signs will be placed as needed to direct traffic to your location. Any signage on private property (e.g. business sign at your back entrance) will be your responsibility.
Does the state compensate businesses for lost revenues during construction?
No. This has been well established by policy and the courts. Mn/DOT and its Contractor do intend to work with the St. Peter business community to minimize business impacts.
How will emergency services get access to my location when the highway is torn up?
We will maintain contact with emergency services during construction so that they are aware of any changes in detours and open streets. To ensure that emergency vehicles can cross the highway, Jefferson, College, Nassau, and Broadway will be kept open except for limited 48 hour periods. No more than two of these will be closed at a time.
Will the construction activity damage my building or home and, if so, who pays for repairs?
The contractor will be required to inspect buildings and homes that are near the construction work before construction begins. They will be responsible to ensure that no damage occurs and pay for any repairs.
Will there be utility service interruptions?
There will be limited interruptions when switching over to temporary service and tying in to new lines. These will be up to four hours in length. You will be given at least 48 hours in advance to prepare for the interruptions.
Economic Effects
How much will the project cost?
The project will cost $11-15 million. This includes the road work, utilities, and design and construction engineering
How is the project funded?
The roadway work will be funded by the Economic Stimulus package that Congress passed in February 2009. The City is seeking Economic Stimulus funding for the utility work also. The City may need to bond for some of the work.
Will the City assess landowners for any of the work?
This has not been determined, but is a possibility, especially for replacing utility service lines from the main to your home or business. There will be no assessment for the roadway work.
Will this project result in jobs in Saint Peter?
The direct job creation resulting from this project will be in construction, surveying and engineering. Contracting teams may, but are not required, to hire locally. Materials for construction may be supplied by local companies. Also, construction personnel will utilize local services for gas, food, and lodging.
Other Information
What if I have other questions not answered here?
If you have other questions that relate to public utilities, you may contact the City of Saint Peter Public Works Department at 507-934-0670. Other questions may be directed to Mn/DOT’s Project Manager, Matt Rottermond at 507-304-6205 or matthew.rottermond@dot.state.mn.us.
