Project Vital Statistics
Total Contract Work Completed To Date: 66%
• Temporary BNSF and OTVR railroad tracks (shoo-flies) are operational
• Approximately 70% of excavation has been completed (204,000 cubic yards)
• Approximately 52,800 feet of structural support piling (52% of total contract amount) has been installed
• Bridge construction has begun on 2 of the 3 bridges to be constructed
• The stormwater pumping station is 95% complete
Next Major Milestones
• Set bridge beams on first 2 bridges - May through June 2020
• Complete OTVR permanent track – approximately June 2020
• A second period of night construction is expected to follow completion of the OTVR permanent track
• Construct 3rd bridge – approximately July through September 2020
• Complete BNSF permanent track – September through October 2020
Major Road Closure/Detour Continues:
Traffic should continue to use either 12 Ave or Highway 10 as an east/west route and 34 St S or 8 St S as a north/south route. closure of the intersection of SE Main and 20 St|21 St (all directions) will remain in place, likely until October, 2020.
Other Travel Impacts:
20 St from 8 Ave to 6 Ave is now open, however, 20 St north of 6 Ave remains closed
21 St S from 2 Ave S to 4 Ave S and 4 Ave S from 21 St S to 22 St S is open to traffic, one lane in each direction
Main Ave from 17 St S to 19 St S and 19 St S from Main Ave to 4 Ave S is open to traffic
Oakway and Birch Ln intersection has a temporary roundabout in place - raised bumpers were removed to facilitate winter maintenance and will be re-installed in the spring
1 Ave S and 12 Ave S detour routes will remain active
Project Description
The proposed project will reconstruct and realign the intersection of SE Main Ave and 20 St/21 St to pass under new bridges that will carry the BNSF and Otter Tail Valley Railroad tracks over the streets. The project will result in improvements to safety and congestion for vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and emergency services.
The project also includes the construction of new track (called a wye) that will allow direct northbound to eastbound and westbound to southbound train movements. Under existing conditions, trains must travel into the Downtown area, stop, and reverse direction to make these movements. The wye will eliminate delays at the Downtown crossings associated with trains backing up. Construction of the wye will require the closure of 1 Ave S near the wye track.
Project Layout
City Contacts
Tom Trowbridge, Assistant City Engineer
General Construction Questions 218.299.5395
Jon Atkins, City Traffic Engineer
Detour and Traffic Concerns 218.299.5388
Levi Hockett, City Inspector
Specific Construction Questions 218.299.5396
For Other Inquiries
Contact the Engineering Department
Additional Information
Animated Depiction of 20th & 21st St/SE Main Avenue Grade Separation Project
20 & 21 St/SE Main Ave Grade Separation Project Layout
July 11, 2018 - Community Information Meeting - SE Main Ave 20/21st ST Railroad Grade Separation