City of Albert Lea Construction Projects

(ABC 6 News) – A couple big construction projects are nearing completion in Albert Lea.

Crews are putting the final pieces in place for the new water tower on Fountain Street.

• The tower will hold 1 million gallons of water when complete and weigh more than 9 million pounds.
• It’s made up of 400-plus pieces of steel and will stand 18 stories tall, which is 4 stories taller than the original built in 1938.
• Check out drone footage of the crews at work, and see fun facts about the water tower HERE.

East Main Street between Newton Avenue and the Shell Rock River bridge will open the middle of next week, weather permitting.

• The goals of this project are to reduce accidents and road flooding.
• An average of 13,000 vehicles travel this part of East Main on average every day, when it’s not under construction.
• While it’s been closed, much of that traffic has moved to Bridge Avenue, more than doubling its traffic with several businesses that have worked hard to stay open.

To learn more, visit the City of Albert Lea’s website HERE.

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About this project

Summary of work

Reconstruction of Hwy 65 from Newton Ave. to Shell Rock River Bridge in Albert Lea is scheduled for April 25 to October 2022. The project will be divided into four stages. Detour routes, construction staging and timing are available on the Construction page.

Hwy 65 project map

• Reconstruct Hwy 65 from Newton Ave. to the Shell Rock River Bridge
• Improve drainage to reduce flood events
• Repave Hwy 65 from Shell Rock River Bridge to Sorenson Rd.
• Reduce serious right-angle crashes with intersection modifications from Garfield Ave. to Prospect Ave., including Reduced Conflict Intersections (RCIs) at Prospect Ave. and Morningside Rd.
• Make ADA and safety improvements including construction of new sidewalks and median refuges
• Install new traffic signal at Garfield Ave.
• Install new lighting

Please reference the final layout for detailed information.

Newton Ave. to Shellrock River Bridge

Project goals

• Reduce flood events
• Improve pedestrian access and safety

Solution

• Reconstruct roadway and raise 2 feet at low point
• Increase storm sewer intake capacity
• Install backflow prevention
• Widen sidewalks, add pedestrian refuges
• Construct new sidewalk between Elizabeth Ave. and Katherine St.

Wilson St. to Ulstad Ave.

Project goals

• Reduce number of right-angle crashes, or T-bone crashes, which are usually more serious. Right-angle crashes appear to be from cross street traffic
• Resolve pedestrian access issues with unclear routes and improve safety

Solution

• Limit access points and cross street traffic
• Increase distance between access points
• Install turn lanes
• Construct new sidewalks
• Add pedestrian refuges in the median

Fenton Ave. to Prospect Ave.

Project goals

• Reduce number of right-angle crashes, or T-bone crashes, which are usually more serious. Right-angle crashes appear to be from cross street traffic
• Resolve pedestrian access issues with unclear routes and improve safety

Solution

• Limit access points and cross street traffic
• Increase distance between access points
• Install RCIs at Prospect Ave. and Morningside Rd.
• Construct new sidewalks
• Add pedestrian refuges in the median

Traffic impacts

• Two detours will be used to route traffic around the construction zones. At times, traffic will be reduced to one lane. Detour routes, construction staging and timing are available on the Construction page.
• People going to businesses or homes on or near the construction zone will have the ability to reach their destination. Questions about access to a business or home can be asked to Chris Harber, Ulland Brothers Project Manager (, 507-383-4986).

Published 6:43 pm Friday, May 27, 2022

The city of Albert Lea on Friday provided the following updates on various construction projects happening in the community: 

U.S. Highway 65 resurfacing and flood mitigation

Sanitary sewer and watermain replacement continued this week and will likely be completed next week. Crews also continued storm sewer work and grading of the stormwater ponds near the intersection of Clark Street. This work will continue next week.

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East Main Street resurfacing and trail project

The contractor continued storm sewer improvements east of Interstate 35 this week and will continue this next week. They also plan to begin grading work for the new shared user trail next week starting at the west end of the project near TH-65.

Bridge Avenue reconstruction project

The traffic signal at Hammer Road was activated this week. The manhole covers and water valves have been raised to the final road level in preparation for paving. They tentatively plan to begin paving at the end of next week.

Edgewood, St. Peter, Ulstad and Stanley avenues reconstruction project

The manhole covers and water valves have been raised to the final road level in preparation for paving. They tentatively plan to begin paving at the end of next week.

New 1 million gallon central water tower

• The fabrication of the new water tower is 25% complete
• Crew cannot weld in certain rainy conditions
• Stem No. 1 is 100% complete and ready to be hoisted into place
• Stem No. 2 is 90% complete
• Fab on the bottom of the bowl has begun
• A large rubber tired crane is now scheduled to be moved in June 13
• When the stems and bowl get hoisted into place that will allow more room for the bowl pieces to be fabricated on the ground.

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