by Steven Wright
news@thenewsleaders.com
The Benton County Board of Commissioners voted July 14 to approve bidding and relocating houses along CR 3 in Sauk Rapids.
Nineteen homes in total were successfully purchased with plans to relocate each structure in the coming weeks. Once the homes are removed from the area, contractors will demolish and clear foundations and remaining structures in preparation of the next phase of construction.
The project, which is set to break ground in spring 2016, will carry a price tag of about $12 million. Benton County has received $1.8 million in federal funding, including $700,000 for a right-of-way purchase. The county and city will ask the Minnesota Legislature for additional funding before breaking ground in the spring.
Benton County Engineer Chris Byrd says the project has been in the works for at least two years. There’s been a strong need for a widened road and new pavement.
“The existing roadway is past its design life,” Byrd said. “It’s essentially falling apart.”
The volume of traffic through 2nd Street North has been increasing during the past 10 years. A wider road will accommodate future traffic and economic growth in Sauk Rapids.
Byrd hopes to have all lanes open and ready for travel by fall or early winter 2016.
An aerial view of County Road 3 highlights the areas where the road will be widened and repaved.
Rush-hour traffic heads up the hill on County Road 3 (2nd street) in Sauk Rapids. Increased traffic and deteriorating road conditions have prompted a $12-million renovation starting spring 2016.
