City readies to begin next phase of Minnesota Avenue reconstruction

The next phase of Minnesota Avenue reconstruction is starting off with some savings as work prepares to begin.

The winning bid to reconstruct Minnesota from Second Street to just south of Seventh Street came in from Sioux Falls-based D&G Concrete Construction Inc. at $12.1 million — 28 percent below the city’s estimate.

“We had really good bids,” director of public works Mark Cotter said. “We’ve certainly started to see competitive bids across the board.”

The project will include new concrete pavement, concrete sidewalks, retaining walls, concrete median pavement, street and pedestrian/accent lighting, streetscaping, relocation of bus stops and replacement of traffic signals.

Additionally, it involves replacing multiple water mains, including a 36-inch water transmission main with a 42-inch one.

“Not only will it refresh the entire streetscape, but it’s the main water main that comes out of the water plant … that really feeds all of central Sioux Falls,” Cotter said.

The design will be more pedestrian-friendly with an increased buffer between the curb and sidewalk, he said.

“As a pedestrian today, you’ll walk a number of areas on Minnesota Avenue (where) you’re right up next to the traveling public (and) vehicle traffic. We’ve been able to create a buffer … just to increase that safety factor.”

The city has “certainly heard the concerns about the aesthetics on the first phase of Minnesota Avenue,” Cotter added, noting that the design for the next phase has a lower profile for the concrete medians, which represent about 25 percent of the length of the project.

City Council member Curt Soehl opposed the use of medians and voted against accepting the bid on Tuesday.

“Eventually, you’re going to have only left turns at the stoplights,” he said. “You’re going to increase the traffic flow, and eventually you’re going to increase the speed. It’s going to become a very sterile … strip of highway.”

The City Council discussed approving a broader policy governing how Minnesota will be reconstructed as it continues south of Eighth Street. There are future phases planned in the next five years.

Work from Second to Seventh streets is expected to start as soon as the weather allows. The hope is to complete it this fall, although some work could continue into early next year.