Public Works Update

May 16, 2025

2025 Street & Utility Project

Linn Drive SW/Oakdale Street SW

The 2025 Street & Utility Project was awarded to Wencl Construction.

Week of May 12: The contractor finished the sanitary main installation on Linn Dr SW.

Week of May 19th: The contractor plans to start watermain removal and installation, which is estimated to take the full week. Access will be blocked at Linn Dr, access at 2nd Ave will remain open.

Week of May 27: The contractor plans to move the storm sewer, which is estimated to take the entire week.

After all utilities are installed on Linn Dr SW the contractor will begin the installation of underground utilities on Oakdale Street.

Any access restrictions shall be communicated to property owners by the contractor.

2025 Street & Utility Project Map.

Vine Street Parking Lot

Concrete work will take place behind Tone Music the week of May 19th.

The paving contractor anticipates beginning on May 27 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 May 27. The contractor plans to begin at the intersection of 18th Street SE and Austin Road and work towards the west. 18th Street SE will remain open. Please slow down and remain vigilant, as contractors will be working in the area.

18th Street SE Trail Extension Map

Please note: Planned work for all projects is weather dependent, and dates are subject to change. Any access restrictions will be communicated by the contractor.

View the interactive project map to see where work will be taking place this season: Engineering Project Map | Owatonna, MN. Sign up for updates from the Public Works Department to stay informed!

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.

Yard care reminders

Grass clippings and other yard waste that makes its way to the street can block catch basins. Collect these items and dispose of them at a compost site rather than leaving them on the lawn. Check nearby catch basins and clear them if needed. Excess fertilizer run-off also goes through the stormwater system and into local waterways.

National Public Works Week

May 18-24, 2025

The American Public Works Association is proud to announce the theme "People, Purpose, Presence" for the 2025 National Public Works Week poster. Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Public works professionals are ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all.

The "People, Purpose, Presence" theme highlights how public works makes communities safer, more vibrant, and a better place to live. Whether serving as first responders, responding to electricity outages, providing regular waste pickup, or making roads and sidewalks passable after a winter weather event, public works is always there when people need them.

Public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Owatonna. These infrastructure, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens.

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.