Albertville's I-94 Project Behind Due To Weather

The rainy weather has affected the Interstate 94 project this spring and summer and Adam Nafstad estimates that the project is currently 10-14 days behind.

The project is still moving along with the County Road 37 on ramp closed and traffic being detoured via County Road 37 and County Road 19 during construction.

The retaining wall operations will be completed by the end of the week. The contractors have been working on pond excavation and grading of the new ramps and preparing for installation of the storm sewer.

"There's a lot of grading going on this week," Nafstad said at Monday night's meeeting.

To date, $2.8 million in state funds has been received and the loan requirmements have been completed and the project is now eligible to receive loan disbursements.

"At this point in time, there are no scheduled lane restrictions for freeway traffic," Nafstad wrote in a memo to the city council. However the freeway speed will be reduced from 70 MPH to 60 MPH.

One concern that has been brought to city attention is , located near the closed on-ramp to I-94. "Owner Rod Nelson has expressed a loss of business," Nafstad reported to the council.

Nafstad is working with MNDOT to enhance visibility and a possible new sign highlighting that local businesses are open during construction.

"We hope that we can accelerate having the permanent on ramp completed," Nafstad told the council.