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The city’s major road construction project this year is Emerson Avenue. The entire stretch of road will see work as part of two projects. Safety improvements include new sidewalk and a narrower street to calm traffic, plus a cul-de-sac for Carrie Street to limit shortcutting.
Where: The main project is Emerson Avenue from Delaware to Oakdale. The remaining section of Emerson from Oakdale to Christensen will be done as part of a separate project also happening this year.
What: Emerson will be fully reconstructed from Delaware to Charlton, which means rebuilding the street down to the subgrade, including sewer, curb, and new sidewalks. Emerson from Charlton to Oakdale will get a mill and overlay, including spot curb replacement and new sidewalks. Emerson east of Oakdale will get a mill and overlay and spot curb repair.
- Sidewalk: New sidewalk will be added to the south side of Emerson from Delaware to Robert Street. From Robert Street to Oakdale the sidewalk will be on the north side of Emerson.
- Narrow: Emerson will be narrowed, in part to allow room for new sidewalk but also as a standard traffic calming measure.
- Parking: Parking will be limited to one side, except where it was already prohibited.
- Alley: The project also includes full reconstruction of an alley south of Mina between Smith and Ottawa.
- Carrie Street cul-de-sac: Carrie Street will also be permanently closed at Emerson, replacing the five-way intersection of Emerson, Oakdale, and Carrie Street with a new cul-de-sac on the north end of Carrie Street. Residents have complained about drivers using Carrie Street as a shortcut to Thompson Avenue. The city tested this closure as part of the Thompson/Oakdale roundabout and it worked well. They city also consulted residents and report a near 100% approval of the closure.
Timeline: Work is expected to start in May and finish by October.
Cost: The total estimated cost is $5.1 million. Assessments are estimated at $8,393 per single family lot for Emerson full reconstruction, $1,654 for Charlton to Oakdale mill and overlay (no estimate yet for the east of Oakdale mill and overlay), and $5,910 for the alley.
Public input: The city held a well-attended open house in late 2024 (pictured above) and a public hearing during a Council meeting. Nine people spoke during the public hearing, mostly offering complaints about the cost and adding sidewalks.
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