The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) held an open house on June 29 at the Harmony Community Center, to discuss the upcoming Highway 139 resurfacing project. Approximately 30 people attended, and they heard from Jeff Bunch (MnDOT Construction), Anne Meyer (MnDOT Communications) and Sam Costigan (Rochester Sand & Gravel). The event started with opening remarks by Jeff Bunch, who gave an overall summary of the project, which will be a “mill and overlay,” placing 3 1/2 inches of new pavement on driving lanes.
Bunch shared that the project is slated to begin July 10, and be completed sometime in August, after a scheduled 30 working days (weather permitting). The resurfacing will be done on 3.9 miles of Highway 139, from the Iowa/Minnesota border to Highway 52 in Harmony, at a projected cost of $1.9 million. The project will also include ADA improvements in Harmony, including curb ramps and upgrading some sidewalks.
According to Bunch, one of the main concerns is “individual access,” and he explained, “We are required to keep access, as best we can. It’s something we take very seriously.” Bunch explained that this concept applies both to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. He said when sidewalks have to be closed off temporarily, it will be as brief as possible, and homeowners/business owners are welcome to talk with project staff about which days are preferable.
Regarding vehicular traffic, Sam Costigan added, “There will be no detours, so you’ll always have access.” He explained that the roadway will have sections that are one-lane-only at times, and will be controlled by flaggers or signs. He also shared that, “We won’t leave drop-offs,” meaning that the crew will leave the roadway in a reasonable drivable state at the end of each work day. When asked if the crew will work only Mondays through Fridays, Costigan replied, “We will work two or three Saturdays.”
The project will increase the width of the lanes, from the current width of 12 feet, to 14 feet. There will be one culvert replacement, where Highway 139 intersects with County Road 30. Dunn Blacktop Company is the prime contractor for the project, and anyone interested in email updates on the project status is encouraged to sign up at the website: mndot.gov/d6/projects/hwy139-resurfacing/index.html.