Rochester’s 2014 street construction season begins this week

Construction work is scheduled to begin tomorrow on two Rochester street projects - including one that has been planned for several years.That one calls for a major makeover of the 55th street/ Highway 52 interchange. The project will widen the bridge and reconstruct the approaches on both sides. The $4.7 million project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

The other project involves the reconstruction of 16th street southeast between Broadway and 3rd avenue, on the south side of the county fairgrounds. This project is expected to be completed by mid-summer.

The city also says it appears work will begin soon on the section of 2nd street southwest between 23rd avenue and West Circle Drive, possibly in two weeks. Most of the work on the section between Highway 52 and 23rd avenue was completed last fall.  Crews are expected to return to that segment this week to complete the job.  Meanwhile, the City Council is considering a nearly $600,000 proposal in additional amenities to that stretch of the corridor.