St. Mary Avenue & 14th Street Reconstruction Project Updates – Job 2603

July 17, 2026 – Work completed this week included concrete curb & gutter and sidewalk installation on St. Mary Avenue and 14th Street, final grading of the aggregate base on St. Mary Avenue and installation of the first lift of asphalt on St. Mary Avenue is scheduled for today (July 17th). Work expected next week includes final aggregate base grading and installation of the first lift of asphalt on 14th Street.

July 9, 2026 – Progress was slowed this week due to rain, but the concrete contractor hopes to finish concrete work on both streets this week, with the exception of the area in front of one set of loading docks at Ventura Foods. That section will be placed next week once this week’s concrete has cured. Final grading of the aggregate base will also occur next week. The first lift of asphalt is expected to be placed late next week or the following week.

July 2, 2026 – The only work that took place this week was minor grading and cleanup. Next week the concrete subcontractor will begin installing curb & gutter, sidewalk, and driveway aprons on both streets.

June 26, 2026 – The aggregate base was completed on both streets this week. The concrete subcontractor is scheduled to begin curb and gutter and driveway installation either late next week or the week after the 4th of July.

June 18, 2026

St. Mary Avenue Reconstruction – Water and sewer services were replaced to the right-of-way line. Storm sewer replacement will be completed by the end of the day today. All underground utility work will be complete when the storm sewer work is finished today. Next week the contractor will excavate and install new aggregate road-base.

14th Street Reconstruction – Work this week included completion of the watermain replacement and aggregate road base installation. Next week work is limited to minor cleanup and preparation for upcoming concrete work (curb and gutter). Curb, gutter and driveway installation is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 29th – July 3rd.

June 11, 2026

St. Mary Avenue Reconstruction – Watermain replacement continued this week and will be completed tomorrow. The watermain will be pressure and bacteria tested before it can be placed in service. Next week the contractor plans to begin storm sewer replacement and water and sewer service line replacements.

14th Street Reconstruction – Watermain replacement to the east end of 14th Street along with replacement of storm sewer crossings were completed this week. The contractor also began excavating for and installing the new aggregate road-base. Next week they plan to complete the installation of the aggregate road-base and complete the watermain replacement along the east side of Ventura Foods.

June 4, 2026

St. Mary Avenue Reconstruction – This week temporary water was set up and the bacteria testing was obtained and the sanitary sewer replacement was completed. Watermain and storm sewer replacement is scheduled for next week (week of June 8th).

14th Street Reconstruction – The watermain on the east end of 14th street was completed, and storm sewer crossing and catch basin replacement began. A water shutdown affecting Ventura Foods is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, to replace and install water valves and make connections to the new watermain. Next week, week of June 8th, they plan to complete the storm sewer and catch basin replacement, remove the remaining asphalt pavement, and excavate and install the new aggregate road-base.

May 28, 2026 – Work completed this week included removing the curb & gutter and pavement on the north side of 14th Street. The temporary water supply that will serve the Albert Lea Seed House building has been set up and awaiting passing bacteria tests before it can be switched over. If the bacteria tests pass, the watermain replacement will begin Monday of next week.

On St Mary Avenue, traffic control has been set up, and next week the contractor will remove the pavement, curb & and sidewalk, as well as set up the temporary water system.

May 21, 2026 – The contractor was delayed on another project and was unable to start work this week. They plan to begin removals on 14th Street next week and to begin the watermain replacement starting at the Myers Road intersection. The contractor will leave the pavement on the south side of the road in place to allow trucks in and out. They will also build up the private road around the north side of Ventura Foods to serve as a temporary access when needed.

May 15, 2026 – The contract was awarded to Jensen Excavating, they plan to begin removing the pavement on 14th Street next week. They plan to leave the pavement on the south side of the road in place while they are replacing the watermain to allow for traffic to the affected businesses to remain uninterrupted.