Blake Road - 2022 / 2023 Roadway Reconstruction

The intersections at Belmore and Mendelssohn with Blake Road are closed until mid-next week due to the installation of concrete valley gutters. Spruce and Maloney are still open for access in the neighborhood. Thanks

The contractor's schedule has concrete work finishing this week, backfill and prep for paving the week of Oct. 17, paving the two of three layers of the asphalt street the week of Oct. 24, and paving the final layer the week of Oct. 31 or Nov. 7. If schedules and weather continue to align, the road should be open the 2nd or 3rd week of November. Thanks for you patience.

The unground utilities are complete. The team is conducting watermain testing before getting residents back on the permanent water system and off the temporary water system. That work should occur this week. The grading of the street for new concrete curb and gutter and street pavement should be complete this week. Installing concrete curb and gutter is the next step in the reconstruction process. The contractor is trying to confirm concrete availability but with the concrete shortage, timelines are hard to define. Most likely the concrete sidewalk will not be installed this year due to a lack of concrete. Thanks for your patience.

The contractor will be wrapping up installing new underground utility pipes for the water and storm sewer systems by mid-October while at the same time completing roadway grading operations.

All contractors in the Twin Cities have been notified of a concrete shortage by concrete suppliers. City and contractor staff are gathering more information to determine how that may impact this project. The contractor hopes to install concrete curb during the week of Oct. 17 but that is contingent on the concrete supply issue.

The contractor is making great progress installing new underground utility pipes for the water and storm sewer systems. We understand the concerns of residents east of Blake Rd trying to leave their neighborhood or walk their kids to the bus stop west of Blake Rd. The contractor installed signs to provide safer, marked crossings for residents to walk across Blake Rd. Continue to contact the project team if you see things that concern you. Thanks

The private utilities are nearly clear of the site. The city contractor will be starting replacement of the watermain system next week. This will require some short-term water shut-offs. Please check your front doors for flyers with details. Watermain work is scheduled to last 2-weeks followed but underground storm sewer installation. Please continue to be careful when traveling to and from your house. Thanks

Blake Road will be closed between Waterman Avenue and Spruce Road for roadway and utility improvements by S.M. Hentges & Sons beginning on Monday August 15 until November 2022. The detour route will be Interlachen Boulevard, Highway 100 and Excelsior Boulevard. Residents east of Blake Road with no outlet other than Blake Road should enter and exit as shown on the following map.

The contractor will begin by reclaiming the asphalt pavement, which is the process of grinding the existing pavement into a gravel base. Removal of driveway ends within the construction limits will begin as necessary in preparation for the underground utility work. After the removals are complete, crews will begin installing a temporary above ground watermain in advance of the watermain work.

We invite you to review this document summarizing what to expect during construction.

Due to delays relocating private utility infrastructure south of Waterman Ave, the south portion of the project will be delayed until 2023. The north portion from Waterman Ave to Spruce Rd will be constructed this year with a start date of early to mid - August. CenterPoint Energy is completing distribution gas main and service replacements now. Xcel Energy is scheduled to begin their relocation work the week of July 25. This work will last approximately 6-weeks. Xcel's work will require the removal of 1 ash tree, 4-6 smaller cedar trees and an area of invasive buckthorn. All removals are within the ROW. There will be additional tree removals associated with the street reconstruction project. Those will most likely occur in 2023. These removals allow for the replacement of retaining walls at the end of their useful life and the addition of bike and pedestrian sidewalks and trails. Much discussion has occurred between staff and the adjacent owners to limit impacts from the project. Thanks, Chad Millner, City Engineer.

Due to private utility relocations and material delivery delays, the project south of Waterman Avenue will be delayed until 2023. The contractor still anticipates completing construction between Waterman Avenue and Spruce Road this year. Most likely starting in August. Staff continues to push the private utilities to complete all relocations this year so the contractor can start early in 2023. Please direct questions to Chad Millner, City Engineer.

Blake Road between Interlachen Boulevard and Waterman Avenue will be closed for gas main improvements by CenterPoint Energy beginning on 5/27/22. The intersection of Interlachen Boulevard and Blake Road will be open during this closure, beginning on the evening of 5/27/22. The detour route will be Interlachen Boulevard, Highway 100 and Excelsior Boulevard. CenterPoint Energy’s contractor Minnesota Limited will coordinate with local residents to maintain access to homes within the closure.