BROOKINGS – The City of Brookings’ Public Works Department will begin reconstruction of the Eighth Street South and Main Avenue South intersection starting the week of June 6, the City of Brookings announced in a news release.
The work will include removal of the existing asphalt surface in the intersection and replacing it with concrete, as well as water main work. Also planned are a new video detection system, pedestrian push button pedestals, sidewalk and ramps.
The project will continue until the week of Aug. 15, weather permitting. During this time, through traffic will be detoured around the construction area. Detour signs will be placed to direct vehicles appropriately.
Businesses within the detoured area on Main Avenue South (from Fifth Street South to 12th Street South) and Eighth Street South (Crystal Ridge Road to Seventh Avenue South) will remain open during this time. City garbage, yard waste and recycling will be collected at the curb from residences per the usual schedule.
Brookings Mayor Ope Niemeyer said at Tuesday’s Brookings City Council work session that it would be interesting to see how the project is handled, given the number of vehicles that use the intersection.
“Unfortunately, there’s not an easy way to do it over there,” City Engineer Charlie Richter said Tuesday. “We are timing it so it’s done while school it out, so that will minimize some of the traffic.”
“The City of Brookings would like to remind the public to be cautious when driving or walking near the project area, especially around work areas under construction. We understand there will be short-term inconveniences throughout the project, and we appreciate working together with you on any issues,” the city news release says.
Issues related to construction items can be directed to Cole Schneider with Bowes Construction at 605-695-3839 at any time. Other questions may be directed to project engineer Andrew Kangas at Civil Design Inc. by calling 605-696-3200 or the City Engineering Office at 605-692-6629.
2022 projects
At Tuesday’s Brookings City Council study session, councilors received an update on capital improvement projects slated for this year, including the use of a new GIS-driven “storybook” web page – https://bit.ly/3FYryzw – that will go live next week and help inform residents about the cost and impact of each project.
“Included in this page would be an interactive tool as well. That would be another link that will be able to provide people … updates on various construction projects around the community. It would be updated routinely so people would have an idea when each project would occur in their neighborhood,” Richter told the council.
The list of capital improvement projects planned for also 2022 includes:
• 15th Street South and Seventh Avenue South connection – includes water main, storm sewer, curb and gutter, ramps, detention basin, roadway and sidewalk
• 20th Street South interchange installation at Interstate 29
• 2022 Overlay Project – resurface seven streets, ramps, bike network improvements, curb and gutter repairs, and sidewalk
• Chip Seal Project – chip sealing of 45 streets, line striping on those streets
• Harvey Dunn (First Avenue to Main Avenue) – new storm sewer, sidewalk ramps
• Installation of Sexauer Dog Park
• McClemans Park – Replace playground equipment
• Edgebrook Golf Course – Cart path construction and parking lot LED light upgrade
• Southbrook Softball Complex – Fencing replacement and sidewalk addition
• Dakota Nature Park – Discovery trail completion
• Fishback Soccer Complex – Press box leveling
• Prairie Hills bike trail extension
