MARSHALL, Minn.—Marshall’s Assistant City Engineer Eric Hanson provided updates on ongoing and future infrastructure projects in the city.
Hanson said the city’s largest project this year, the Hill/Charles/Minnesota project, is mostly complete but awaiting warmer weather for site restoration. “We got a little site restoration left to do there,” he said. “That would typically be a project that’s rather visible.” Another high-profile project is the MnDOT Trunk Highway 19 reconstruction. Hanson noted, “The downside of fall construction is shorter days, colder weather delays, how quickly you can get that concrete placed and get it open to traffic.”
Other current projects include a grant-funded trail project near C Street by the elementary school and the city’s new Aquatic Center. Hanson said, “A lot of the pools, I think there’s only one pour left and the majority of the pool concrete will be in. The buildings are up, floors are poured and they’re actually starting to do some interior and windows doors type of work. Site grading is done … it’ll be pretty exciting once 19 is open that folks can drive by that site and see the progress we’ve made.”
Looking ahead, Hanson highlighted future projects including intersection improvements near 4th and Country Club, where options like a new roundabout and realignment are being considered. “We have secured some grant funding … Some of the potentials we looked at is another roundabout and a three-quarter intersection and a realignment of 4th St. So I would say that’s one of the big ones that you can see coming,” he said. A J-turn near the high school is also under evaluation. “MnDOT has a consultant under contract to work on that J-turn,” Hanson said.
Hanson credited local contractors and experienced city staff with keeping projects on schedule despite weather challenges. “It’s nice to say that the city keeps them on track, but we’ve got some local contractors that do a great job … they live and work here, so they are very cognizant of keeping projects moving forward,” he said.
