by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
At the Sept. 14 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting, $8,000-$10,000 was approved for SEH, the engineering firm contracted by the city, to conduct a preliminary feasibility study regarding reconstruction of Eighth Street N. in 2016.
The project, which could cost around $1.8 million, would include the reconstruction of the street and utilities on Eighth Street N. from Benton Drive to Sixth Avenue N. The project has been a part of the capital-improvement plan for the past seven years.
Funding for the project would come from Municipal State Aid, which would cover street improvements and about half of the utility improvements, as well as current city utility funds.
The public-works department and public-works committee were concerned about the project possibly taking place around the same time as the CR 3 “Up the Hill” project but said they feel with the county possibly getting a late start on CR 3, it’s best to get the feasibility study in place so Eighth Street N. can be reconstructed if CR 3 is delayed.
Members of both groups also said, even if CR 3 and Eighth Street N. were both under reconstruction in the same year, they could be completed without significant traffic issues.
The feasibility study was authorized unanimously by the council, and a public hearing could be held as early as the beginning of November.