Source: Minnesota Department of Transportation This map from the Minnesota DOT shows the area in New Ulm and on Highway 15 South that will be under construction starting on Monday at 7th North Street.

NEW ULM — This Monday marks the official start of road construction season in New Ulm.

On May 1, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) crews will begin reconstructing Broadway, starting at 7th North and moving south through city and following Highway 15 to Searles. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September.

An open house was held at the Best Western in New Ulm Friday to allow businesses owners affected by the reconstruction and the public to ask questions of MnDOT officials.

Project Engineer Dan Franta said the road project from 7th North to Searles is a resurfacing project, but will also be an opportunity to make intersections ADA compliant.

During construction, through traffic will be detoured to 20th South Street S. Nicollet County Road 37 and Highway 14. Local traffic will be able to use Highway 15/Broadway during construction but intermittent closures should be expected.

During the second or third week in May construction crews will start work on the bridges on the southern section of Highway 15.

The open house focused on the Highway 15/Broadway construction project, but acknowledged other road projects affecting the area. In July, a mill and overlay project will start between New Ulm and Sleepy Eye. A similar project between Sleepy Eye and Springfield will follow.

The largest project is the Highway 14/Highway 15 interchange. Preliminary work is being done for this project, but this roadway will not be closed until 2018.

New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce President, Audra Shaneman, said a page has been created on the City of New Ulm website (http://www.ci.new-ulm.mn.us/) to collect all updates on the projects.