Staff photo by Fritz Busch MR Paving & Excavating foreman Chris Rahe, center, does structure raising work on German Street near the 1st Street North intersection Wednesday. M R Paving laborers pictured from left are Daniel Jasso and Jordan Schultz. The Center and German Street intersection will be closed through Thursday, Oct. 24 for final bituminous paving. German Street remains closed from Center to 3rd North Street.

NEW ULM — Taking advantage of mild fall weather, road and utility reconstruction crews were busy on German Street and 20th South Street Wednesday.

MR Paving & Excavating crews were busy at the intersection of German Street and 1st North Street.

“We’re raising (utility) structure for the last blacktop top coat,” said M R Paving & Excavating foreman Chris Rahe.

“Crews are adjusting manhole and water valve castings today and the final lift of pavement is scheduled to be constructed tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 24),” New Ulm City Manager Joe Stadheim said about the German Street project.

“There will be a few days following for restoration and clean up with the roadway opening to traffic on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Construction crews have not had issues with vehicles within the project limits to date,” he said.

The $2.14 million City of New Ulm utility, street and alley improvement project began several months ago. Water and sanitary sewer mains dating as far back as 1906 were replaced. Reconstruction included sewer and water end services, storm sewer modifications and road reconstruction on German Street from Center to 3rd North Street.

Local bond funds were used for new concrete curb and gutter, pedestrian sidewalk ramps and selective replacement of driveway pavement and sidewalk.

On the south end of town, phase two of a $4.49 million project with $2.2 million in federal road improvement funds began several months ago on 20th South Street from Broadway to the Minnesota River Bridge.

Stadheim described the 20th Street South project work being done now and planned in the coming weeks.

“Crews are paving the first three lifts of bituminous pavement today and tomorrow, (Wednesday, Oct. 23, and Thursday Oct. 24), he said.

“There will be a few days following that for the adjustment of manhole and water valve castings with the final lift of pavement scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 29. Following the final lift, restoration, pavement markings, street lighting and signage will be installed with final turf establishment the week of Nov. 4. The roadway will be opened following that work,” said Stadheim.

The project includes reconstruction of existing water main, sanitary sewer main, sewer and water end services, storm sewer modifications and road reconstruction including concrete and gutter, pedestrian sidewalk ramps, bituminous recreational trail, LED street lights and selective replacement of concrete driveway pavement and sidewalk.