The intersection of Main Street and First Street in Blue Earth will remain open for the time being, as indicated by the ‘Road Closed’ sign lying forgotten on its side.

After a tumultuous April, chilly temperatures began to rise this past month. As such, Blue Earth has lately been buzzing with early signs of summer street improvement projects.

Bolton & Menk project engineer Ben Rosol confirms work at the intersection of Main Street and First Street commenced mid-May. Many locals guessed as much after orange signs and barriers began to spring up like daisies at the popular intersection.

“Main Street and First was closed last week,” Rosol says. “They opened back up with gravel Memorial Day weekend. They will stay as gravel for a while.” 

Rosol explains work on the intersection has ceased while construction crews tackle other areas of the city.

However, crews will eventually return to the Main Street and First Street intersection to install concrete, at which time it will be re-closed for a brief interlude.

Rosol cannot yet confirm the date of the future construction.

“It will kind of be weather dependent, and based on the contractor’s schedule,” he says.

Rosol is happy to report that so far, weather has not proved too much of a hindrance to summer construction.

“So far it’s gone pretty well,” Rosol says. “The little bit of rain we’ve had hasn’t affected them too much.” 

As long as the skies remain clear, construction crews will relocate to Gorman Street next. They will be digging up the area between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

“Probably in the middle of June, another crew will be coming,” Rosol says, adding that the schedule was designed to coincide with the end of the school year.

As such, he notes Blue Earth residents should expect to see a detour on Seventh Street in a few weeks.

He adds a detour will be installed near Main Street once again when work in that area resumes.

“Those two intersections should be the two intersections that affect the public,” Rosol says. “Just following those detour signs is greatly appreciated.” 

Rosol predicts work on the street improvement projects will continue throughout the rest of the summer and into early fall of this year.

“We would like to see it done by the middle of October,” he concludes.