Transportation Construction: A Small Setback Leading to Huge Benefits
November 16th, 2009 at 3:54 pm By Conrad deFiebre
Businesses along Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minn., are sighing in relief now that a summer and autumn of reconstruction of the main drag that also serves as Hwy. 169 is coming to an end. The busy thoroughfare reopened to pedestrian traffic on Saturday, a day after a sinkhole cave-in caused massive traffic jams on both ends of town for drivers, including U.S. Rep. Tim Walz.
Cars and trucks should be back on the rebuilt artery within another week. The 4-1/2-month shutdown has been tough on business, but now St. Peter has a commercial spine with new concrete pavement and water and sewer mains that will last for decades to come. Dave Neiman, owner of St. Peter’s Ace Hardware store, told the Mankato Free Press he plans to get a T-shirt that says: “I survived the construction of 2009.”
This reminds me of the merchants along University Avenue in St. Paul who are up in arms over forthcoming construction of the Central Corridor light rail line. The work will cut into their business, to be sure, but as in St. Peter every effort will be made to maintain access for customers while the street is torn up. When it’s done, the businesses will enjoy greater traffic counts at their doors.
No one in St. Peter tried to stop the Minnesota Avenue project because of its temporary effect on traffic and sales. They understood that the work was necessary for the continued vitality of the city’s commercial heart. And they were thankful for the $17 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds (non-user stimulus money) that made it possible, along with 300 jobs.
According to the Metropolitan Council, light rail is necessary for the continued vitality of University Avenue, one of the most congested commercial arteries in the Twin Cities. St. Paul’s urban density calls for a different solution than the pavement that works for small-town St. Peter. But the outcome of light rail will be the same: a revitalized business corridor that promotes prosperity for decades to come.
LikeTags: Economic Recovery, Highway 169, Mankato
The work being done in downtown St. Paul, which I believe is moving utilities in preparation for the Central Corridor rail, is NOT making every effort to protect the surrounding businesses. I office in the First National Bank Building, and on Friday when I attempted to cross 4th for lunch, I found myself trapped.
First, the escalator to the skyway was closed.
Second, the sidewalk and street on the direct route is totally blocked off by construction (and has been for weeks).
Third, the sidewalk and street on Robert was also blocked. By attempt #3, after several minutes of trying to cross the street, we determined to hop fences. However, a 10 foot deep hole in the middle of the street flanked by 10 food high piles of rocks made this impossible.
Finally, we walked back through the building to Minnesota, wove through fences and ramps, hopped 8 inch PVC pipes laying on the sidewalk, and wandered through the intersection (and traffic) to cross 4th and get to our destination.
I hope they do a better job on University.