Frazee road project enters second month

By Robert Williams

Editor

Week four of construction on Highway 87 in Frazee has been completed

Crews are currently working on stage 1: North of Highway 10 to County Road 10/Juniper Avenue and stage 3: In front of the school, from Birch Avenue/CR 29 to North River Drive.

Crews are progressing through the underground utility replacements, including sewer, storm and water in stage 1. 

It is a tedious process that requires special equipment, according to a Minnesota Department of Transportation release. Once the new pipes and structures are in place, the dirt must be compacted as they fill in the trenches. Around gas and water lines, a hand compactor is used, and in other sections of the trench, a remote compactor is operated. 

Highway 87 remains closed during stage 1 construction. The detour route is Highway 10 and County Road 10/Juniper Avenue.

In Stage 3, the sidewalks on the west side of the highway, alongside the school, have been installed, along with progress at the stormwater ponds on the north side of the school. Crews continue to replace entrance culverts and will pour sidewalks on the east side of the road, followed by new pavement. 

This section is being done under traffic, so watch for trucks and heavy equipment moving through the work zone, and be patient and obey flaggers. 

After stages 1 and 3 are completed, approximately by the end of July, weather and schedule permitting, crews will move to stages 2 and 4.

Stage 2: Juniper Avenue to Birch Avenue/County Road 29, which includes work at the railroad crossing.

There will be lane closures, flaggers and a short-term detour on city streets during railroad work.

Stage 4: Bridge over Highway 10, from just north of CR 29 to the westbound on/off ramp (Lane closures, automated signal).

Driveway access is being maintained throughout the duration of construction for local traffic. In areas with underground utility work or concrete, there may be some restrictions. 

MnDOT urges motorists to slow down in work zones and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

Frazee Mayor Ken Miosek is serving as Gladen Construction’s Community Liaison. Contact Ken with any questions about daily construction impacts or access concerns. He can be reached at 701-893-5759 or teriken@arvig.net.

The $6.3 million project is estimated to be completed by the end of October. 

The finished project completes the 35-mile stretch from the Highway 10 bridge in Frazee to Menahga connecting to the 2021 work that was done resurfacing highway 87, along with shoulder widening and culvert replacements to the Becker/Wadena County line.