NEWS RELEASE
Update: Due to Wednesday's rain/fog weather forecast, we are postponing the event until Thursday, as is noted below. Also, the location will now be near the southeast end of the "Super Sidewalk" near Marshall School. Parking is available in the Marshall School lot.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 25, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Steve Krasaway, Resident Engineer
218-625-3841 (office) • 218-213-0579 (cell)
Ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of three public works projects
In Duluth, it's known as Rice Lake Road. North of Island Lake, it's the Vermilion Trail. At other points, it's most commonly known as Highway 4, and a portion even carries the honorary name "Rudy Perpich Memorial Highway". Officially, it's County State Aid Highway 4, and it runs from Duluth all the way to Biwabik.
St. Louis County Public Works will celebrate the completion of three separate projects involving Highway 4, with a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, October 27, 10 a.m., on the "Super Sidewalk" on Rice Lake Road. The three projects together total more than $5 million in investment, and include an extra-wide sidewalk, a reconfigured intersection and new traffic signal, and a 12-mile long resurfacing project.
- The Super Sidewalk is an eight foot wide asphalt sidewalk along the west side of Rice Lake Road, running 1.7 miles from Marshall School to Arrowhead Road. This area sees considerable pedestrian and bicycle traffic with several large apartment complexes along the route. It's part of a long term vision to link trails connecting college campuses all the way to the Lakewalk. The $1.1 million project also included storm water treatment work on the east side of Rice Lake Road. Funding came from federal dollars and Transportation Sales Tax revenue. KGM Contractors of Cook, Minn., served as contractor.
- The T-shaped intersection of Rice Lake Road and Airport Road re-opened October 19 with a new configuration and traffic signal designed to ease traffic congestion and improve safety. The $790,000 project is the first use of a "continuous green T signal" in Minnesota. An added median and improved street lighting were also part of the project completed by Ulland Brothers. The project was funded in part by the Transportation Sales Tax.
- Farther north, travelers are enjoying a smoother ride on 12 miles of the Vermilion Trail between Island Lake and the Whiteface Reservoir, specifically from Thompson Lake Road to just south of Marshall Truck Trail. The $3.3 million resurfacing project was completed in mid-August and was funded by Transportation Sales Tax revenue. Ulland Brothers served as contractor. The resurfacing work was the second phase of a two year project. Last year, the County invested in new culverts along that same stretch.
"It's exciting to be able to complete these projects that make our communities safer and the traveling conditions more comfortable for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists," said Commissioner Pete Stauber, who chairs the Board's Transportation Committee. "Thanks to funding from the Transportation Sales Tax and other revenue sources, the commitment of our Board, and the hard work of our Public Works staff and the various local contractors who've worked on these projects, we have three more projects done that we can be very proud of."
The three projects highlighted are among more than 170 projects either finished or nearing completion across the County this year, totaling an $83 million investment. The projects include 107 miles of pavement preservation, 24 bridge replacements, 280 miles of preventative pavement maintenance, five miles of complete reconstruction, 15 miles of gravel road improvements, and more than 12 miles of culvert replacements.
To learn more about any of St. Louis County's road construction projects, or to sign up for email updates, visit stlouiscountymn.gov/construction.
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