Viaduct Bridge Scheduled to Open on October 17

After nearly 10 months of construction, the Hwy 60 Viaduct Bridge is scheduled to open again on October 17.  The chamber is helping to plan a ribbon cutting and grand opening event to include community leaders, state officials and local groups.  Anyone interest in participating in the short ceremony is invited to contact the chamber office.

On September 19 MNDot officials conducted presentations about the Viaduct and tours of the construction site.  Here are some of the interesting facts presented.

• The Viaduct has had virtually no remodeling since it was built in 1937 at a cost of $500,000.00
• The newly remodeled Viaduct has an expected life of 70 years
• The width was 30 feet and will be 53 feet curb to curb
• Special care was taken to preserve the historic features so the bridge remains on the National Register of Historic structures.
• All the iconic arches and spandrels (columns) remain from the original bridge.
• Both the Department of Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency monitored the construction to protect the impact on the river.
• The new construction cost 8.9 million dollars which included the work on 1st Ave  East

Construction on First Avenue in Faribault is completed

Work on the Viaduct Bridge continues

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Motorists can now drive on First Avenue from Division Street to Third Street in Faribault, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The First Avenue construction was part of the larger Highway 60 bridge construction project in Faribault.

Crews continue to work on reconstructing the Viaduct Bridge. The following detour remains in effect while:

? From the west: East on Ravine Street, south on Sixth Avenue to Highway 60.
? From the east: North on Sixth Avenue, west on Ravine Street to Highway 60.

Ames Construction is the prime contractor for the $8,892,177 construction project. The project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31, weather permitting.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

For statewide travel information call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.

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Kristin Calliguri
Community Relations Coordinator
Mn/DOT District 6
2900 48th St NW
Rochester, MN 55901

(Phone) 507-286-7684
(Cell) 507-251-2749
(Fax) 507-281-7780

May 20, 2009 Update

Chad Casey, Mn/DOT project engineer gave an update to Businesses during a gathering at Boston's Pizza on Tuesday, May 19 regarding the Viaduct Construction and also the June 16 closure of 1st Avenue.

Casey reported that the work on the Viaduct is on schedule and as long as there are no bad weather delays, the completion date for the Viaduct work is still set for late October.

The road from the Viaduct heading directly north (1st Avenue & also Hwy 60) will close completely on June 16 as repairs to the road, sidewalks and water/sewer will take place.The work on this road is a joint effort between MnDOT and the City of Faribault. Work on this road will end in mid-August. No traffic will be allowed on the road during construction and businesses are working with Chad Casey on alternate routes to get to the businesses on that road. Access to businesses on the West side of the road will need to have cars park in the parking lots or on the side streets closest to those businesses and access to Boston's will need to be made from either 3rd street or from Ravine street during the short period that 3rd street is closed.

Tim Madigan said at the meeting that businesses can put up temporary signs and banners around the work site and these signs will not be under any regulation of the current sign ordiance.

The photos down below are from the May 19 meeting at Boston's. Business owners around the construction site heard updates on the Viaduct construction and also on the 1st Avenue road closure.

May 5, 2009 Update

You know when you do a remodeling project in your home, how the demo and mess become overwhelming and then ..... it starts to come together?

The Hwy 60 Viaduct is smack in the middle of the biggest mess. But everything is going as planned and on schedule.

The spans leading up to the arches have been removed, the three arches are still there and will remain intact as planned.

Don't forget the cool link to the city webcam to see the progress.

Together with the Chamber and city, Mn/DOT is holding an update meeting for the Viaduct Bridge replacement project. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Boston’s Restaurant in Faribault.

Mn/DOT staff will be discussing Stage 2 of the project, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 16. At this time crews will begin working on the intersection of Highway 60 and Division Street. When this occurs, an additional section of Highway 60 (First Street) will also be closed to motorists. The detour in effect will remain the same; however, Mn/DOT will post an alternate route to Highway 60 from South Willow Street to aid local traffic:

• West on 10th Street and
• North on Ninth Ave to Eighth Ave

This stage of construction will end in late August, with the entire project scheduled to wrap up in late October, weather permitting.

Photos taken on May 5:

April 3 Update

Area businesses are reporting only minor delays and tolerable inconvenience since the Hwy 60 Viaduct Bridge closed on February.   A mid-May meeting is planned to bring area business operators up to date on the project and explain the details of the second phase.  Watch for more details.   The City of Faribault has installed a web-cam on the canpoy of Community Coop to monitor the progress of the project.  You can access the webcam at  http://www.faribault.org/projects/eng/2009/03/13/viaduct_bridge_camera

Any questions about the project can be directed to  Krystal Ohlhaber, Community Relations Coordinator  Mn/DOT District 62900 48th St NW   Rochester, MN 55901(Phone) 507-286-7684          (Fax) 507-286-7355

February 5 Update

Straight River, below the Viaduct Bridge in Faribault, closes to public on Feb. 6

ROCHESTER, Minn. - The section of the Straight River directly under the Viaduct Bridge in Faribault will close to the public on Friday, Feb. 6, while crews install a platform to collect debris from the reconstruction project on the bridge above.

The bridge reconstruction project began Monday, Feb. 2. Construction crews continue their work of removing the sidewalk this week and will then begin removing the existing bridge deck, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The section of Highway 60 between First Avenue and Sixth Avenue remains closed to traffic through Oct. 31. The posted detour is:
* From the west: East on Ravine Street, south on Sixth Avenue to Highway 60
* From the east: North on Sixth Avenue, west on Ravine Street to Highway 60

Ames Construction is the prime contractor for the $8,892,177 construction project.

For statewide travel information visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.

Tips for Business - "How to Survive Road Construction" CLICK HERE

The Chamber will be your resource for updates on the Viaduct Construction.  From February to October 2009 the Viaduct will be under construction and during this time you can go to the Chamber Website and look for the logo above to find updated information on construction progress and any other news pertaining to the project.

Project Background

The historic Faribault Viaduct Bridge was built in 1937 as a two-lane bridge.  Today, the bridge experiences an average daily traffic volume of more than 10,000 vehicles and the two lanes are no longer sufficient for the amount of traffic crossing the bridge.  There are also sections of the bridge that need to be replaced due to the bridge’s increasing age.  In addition to the needs of the bridge, the intersection of Highway 60 and Division Street requires enhancements and will open the area, allowing for better mobility and a safer route for truck traffic.

As the bridge is registered as historic, Mn/DOT spent extensive time coordinating efforts for a design that would be accepted by the Faribault Heritage Preservation Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office and the city of Faribault.  Today’s final design allows Mn/DOT to restore the fatiguing sections of the bridge while maintaining the architectural style yet adding two additional traffic lanes. 

Current Bridge Facts

• Built in 1937
• Currently accommodates two lanes of traffic
• Crosses the Straight River and railroad tracks
• Sidewalks on each side of the bridge

Project Details

• Reconstruct the historic Faribault Viaduct Bridge over the Straight River (keeping concrete arches)

• Grade & pave Highway 60 - south of Division Street to Third Street

• City utility work including water main and sanitary sewer will also be completed

• Traffic signal replacement at the intersection of Highway 60 (First Avenue) and Division Street

• Signing and lighting
• Ames Construction is the prime contractor for the $8,892,177 project

Roadway Impacts/Detour Route

Stage 1:

When construction begins on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 the section of Highway 60 between First Avenue and Sixth Avenue in Faribault will be closed to traffic.  The posted detour is as follows:

• From the west: east on Ravine Street, south on Sixth Ave. to Highway 60
• From the east: North on Sixth Ave., west on Ravine Street to Highway 60

Stage 2:

Crews will begin working on the intersection of Highway 60 and Division Street on June 16.  When this occurs, an additional section of Highway 60 (First Street) will also be closed to motorists.  The detour in effect on Feb. 2 will remain the same; however, Mn/DOT will post an alternate route to Highway 60 from South Willow Street to aid local traffic:

• West on 10th Street and

• North on Ninth Ave to Eighth Ave

This stage of construction will end in late August.

Contact: Chad Casey, Mn/DOT Mn/DOT project engineer, 507/446-5524

• or Krystal Ohlhaber, Mn/DOT community relations coordinator, 507/286-7684
• http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d6/projects/hwy60faribault/index.html

CLICK HERE FOR HWY 60 DETOUR MAP

JANUARY 5 UPDATE

If you are interested in hearing about the timeline and details of construction on Highway 60 and the replacement of the Faribault Viaduct Bridge are invited to attend a public open house on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 4:30 - 6 p.m. with a short presentation at 5:15 p.m. at Faribault City Hall, 208 1st Avenue NW.  Mn/DOT officials will be available to answer questions about construction impacts, detour routes and community relations.  Construction for Highway 60 is scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 2.  When construction begins, the section of Highway 60 between 1st Avenue and 6th Avenue in Faribault will be closed to traffic.  The posted detour is as follows:

•  From the west: east on Ravine Street, south on 6th Ave. to Highway 60
•  From the east: North on 6th Ave., west on Ravine Street to Highway 60