Public Works Update

May 2, 2025

2025 Street & Utility Project

Linn Drive SW/Oakdale Street SW

The 2025 Street & Utility Project was awarded to Wencl Construction, and the project will begin with pavement removals on May 5th. The contractor plans to begin at the Linn Drive/18th Street SW intersection and work towards the south around the loop. Any access restrictions will be communicated by the contractor.

Week of May 5th: Please have all vehicles off of the street by 6 am on May 5th. The contractor will begin with removals, reclaiming and setting temporary water. This portion of the project is expected to take about 3 days. Also to take place next week on Linn Drive, Owatonna Public Utilities will have a contractor in to relocate gas lines along the project limits.

Weeks of May 12th - May 19th: Following pavement removal, the contractor will move on to the removal and replacement of underground sanitary sewer and water infrastructure.

Planned work is weather dependent and dates are subject to change.

Property owners have received a driveway information request form, please complete and return the form to the Public Works Office by May 13th.

If you have not already signed up for and would like to receive these weekly updates, visit Notify Me.

2025 Street & Utility Project Map.

Vine Street Parking Lot

The reconstruction of the Vine Street Parking Lot began in the fall of 2024 and a few items were left to complete this spring. Wencl Construction and their subcontractors will begin working on these items in the coming weeks.

The paving contractor anticipates beginning on May 19 to finish paving and permanently striping the lot. This will result in a closure of the entire lot for several days, which may not all be consecutive. Notifications regarding the lot closure will be sent via Notify Me - Vine Street Parking Lot Closures. Motorists who frequent the lot are encouraged to sign up for these notifications. Paving and striping are weather dependent, and dates may shift due to the forecast and current conditions.

2025 18th Street SE Trail Extension

A Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail running along the South side of 18th Street SW and the North side of 18th Street SE is planned for construction in 2025. The project has been awarded to Ulland Brothers and is expected to begin June 4th. The contractor plans to begin at the intersection of 18th Street SE and Austin Road and work towards the west.

18th Street SE Trail Extension Map

Cured in Place Pipe Systems (CIPPS) Project

Work on the CIPPS Project has been ongoing since mid-March. The contractor, HydroKlean, has completed all precleaning and televising and has moved on to the lining process.

Next week the planned lining areas include:

Pylor Place NW
Glendale Street NW
7th Avenue NE
Prospect Street SE

Sanitary Sewer Jetting/Cleaning

Jetting consists of using a "Jetter Truck" that carries 1,200 gallons of water and 600 feet of hose to clean sewer mains. The hose is fed down through a manhole into the main sewer lines. Once the hose is in place, a pump is turned on to send water through the hose and out a specialized jetting nozzle that operates at roughly 1200-1800psi. The nozzle is fed upstream to the next manhole (typically 300-350 ft runs) and then pulled back slowly to loosen up and remove the debris that are built up in the pipe. This debris ranges from wipes, sand/grit, grease, and solids. Once the solids are pulled back to the manhole, they are either flushed downstream or vacuumed out into the debris box of the Jetter/vac truck.

The city cleans 20% of the city sewer mains annually by working through these 5 zones. This approach allows staff to clean all main lines in a 5-year cycle.

City residents may experience gurgling noises and the occasional odor. Residents and business owners are advised to fill their drain traps after the jetting is completed in front of their house or business. The vacuum that is created during the cleaning process may pull water out of the traps leaving them dry, which can cause odors.

The 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning is being completed in the Zone 3 (South East corner) as seen in the jetting/cleaning zone map.

Please call the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 507.444.2452 if you have questions or experience any issues.

Construction season has arrived. slow down exercise caution and pay attention

Spring has arrived and there are many crews working on or near the roadway. Please SLOW DOWN, exercise caution and pay close attention when approaching any work crews, cones, barricades, etc. Thank you for your patience as the construction season gets underway. Motorist diligence is key in ensuring worker safety.

Stormwater Management

MS4 General Permit reissuance process

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is developing the next Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. As part of the permit reissuance process, three separate opportunities for stakeholders to provide input are planned. For details about those opportunities and planned changes for the next permit, please visit the MS4 General Permit website.

At this time, all interested and affected parties are encouraged to provide written input on the current 2020 MS4 General Permit. This may include suggested changes or areas of the permit where improvements could be made, including where additional details or guidance are desired. The MPCA will review comments and may incorporate suggested changes into the new draft permit.

To submit a comment, email ms4permit.pca@state.mn.us with the subject line: 2020 MS4 General Permit feedback. Please include your name, organization (if applicable), and your comment. In your comment, please be as specific as possible, including reference to permit item number(s) and suggestions on how the permit could be improved. The MPCA is accepting written feedback on the 2020 permit until May 31, 2025.

Public Works Update

May 2, 2025

Sanitary Sewer Jetting/Cleaning

Stormwater Management

MS4 General Permit reissuance process

Thank you for your patience as these projects and other miscellaneous tasks are completed.

Please remember to slow down and remain attentive when approaching work areas.