The reconstruction of Bridge Street started at Cottonwood Street and will continue south to Tower Road. However, since Bridge Street is the main access point for Oakwood Estate and Kraft Foods the construction is being conducted in three phases.

City Engineer Joseph Stadheim said the first phase involves a reconstruct of Bridge Street from Cottonwood Street to just north of Kraft’s main entrance. This means traffic will still be able to access Kraft and Oakwood Estate from the south end of Bridge Street that connects to Highway 68. Phase two of reconstruct will include the roadway segments directly in front of Kraft and Oakwood’s main entrances, but access to the north end of Bridge Street near Cottonwood will reopen.

Oakwood Estates manager Christine Carbonneau said during phase two of the road reconstruction the mobile park will have a new temporary entrance on the north end by the service garage. Carbonneau said the construction teams were providing updates on the process. Currently, phase two is expected to begin around August 1.

Stadheim said a new entrance will also be created for Kraft before phase two begins. He said the idea was to leapfrog the construction to maintain access to the plant throughout the road project. The city has been in communication with Kraft to ensure employees could continue to access the plant.

Road closed signs block Bridge Street at the Cottonwood intersection. The reconstruction will continue in three phases to Tower Road. During this first phase, the main entrances to Kraft and Oakwoods Estate will remain open and can be accessed from the south end of Bridge Street off Highway 68.

Stadheim said this is the first full reconstruct of Bridge Street since it was constructed in 1954. The reconstruction was needed to replace aging utility infrastructure.

Signs on Highway 68 direct traffic for Kraft and Oakwood Estates to the south entrance of Bridge Street as reconstruction continues on the North end of Bridge.

The main entrance and exit of Oakwood Estate is located on Bridge Street and will be cut off during the second phase of the road reconstruction. An alternative entrance will be created on the north end of the mobile home park before the start of phase two.