Council approves preparation of plans for 2020 project

The New Prague City Council unanimously approved at its Monday, June 4, meeting a resolution ordering the improvement and preparation of plans for the 2020 Main Street project. The council held a public hearing on the project, drawing 15 property owners and business owners.

Chris Cavett of the city’s engineering firm, Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., presented the information on the project, which is being done with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. He said one of the main catalysts for the project is the age of the infrastructure underneath Main Street. Some is approaching a century of use. It was decided the city would take the lead in the project. Cavett noted if MnDOT was allowed to lead the work, it would likely not be done until 2025 or 2026.

“This is the end of the first phase of the project,” said Cavett.

Under the proposed plan the street would be reduced from its 50-foot width from curb to curb to 44-feet. There would be on each side of the street a width of 14-feet for sidewalks, a 10-foot width for parking spaces and two travel lanes of 12-feet wide each.

When the water main is updated, a temporary water service line will be set up to provide water to residents and businesses. Also, a gravel walkway will be set up to provide access to buildings.

Cavett explained the changes proposed for 2020 are more for....

To see more on this story pick up the June 7, 2018 print edtion of The New Prague Times.