The reconstruction of Bridge Avenue from Marshall Street to Hammer Road has been a major point of discussion for many years among residents, candidates for office, and city and county staff.

Now, after all those years have passed, the project is finally slated to take place this year.

Design discussions over the years have included everything from number of lanes the road should have to what to do at intersections and even if the project should include roundabouts.

The project has simplified over time, and once completed, the roadway is expected to be the same width as the current roadway. No roundabouts will be included, and the only major change will come at the intersection of Bridge Avenue and Hawthorne Street, where the traffic light will be taken out and instead stop signs will be put in for cars approaching Bridge from Hawthorne. There will also be a northbound left turn lane and a southbound left turn lane at the same intersection. 

To find out more details about the project, staff from the city of Albert Lea and Freeborn County, along with engineers from the consultant firm that has been a part of the project, will give a presentation next Wednesday about the proposed designs and give an update on the anticipated timeline for work.

The presentations will be given at 5 p.m. and then again at 6 p.m. at City Hall. We encourage residents to attend the meeting to find out the expected plans and to start thinking about how you will juggle the interruptions to regular routines.

Now’s your chance to find out the details.