roundabout

Three major construction projects in Stearns County will impact motorists this summer and there's an open house scheduled tomorrow (Tuesday) for you to have your questions answered.

Stearns County's road construction season includes two significant projects and several others will be road resurfacing.

Another roundabout will be coming to the Sartell area this summer. City Engineer Mike Nielson says in connection to the road projects they will be working on, Stearns County plans to build a five legged roundabout near the intersection of LeSauk and Heritage.

Sartell's newest roundabout is confusing for some drivers. City Engineer Mike Nielson says people using the 2nd Street South/Pinecone Road roundabout are not navigating the southbound left turn, to 2nd Street South, correctly.

Plans are in the works to improve traffic flow along Heritage Drive and Stearns County Road 1 in Sartell. County Engineer Jodi Teich says the project includes a roundabout at that intersection.

The first of three roundabouts opened yesterday (Tuesday) along Pinecone Road, and construction for the other two are underway. City Engineer Mike Nielson says the roundabout and the stretch along Pinecone Road between 2nd Street South and 7th Street North (past Pine Meadow Elementary School) opened to traffic at about 2:30 p.m. yesterday.

Phase one of the Pinecone Road improvements nears completion with the opening of the 2nd Street South roundabout tonight (Thursday), but phase two of the project begins Monday. Sartell City Engineer Mike Nielson says all phase one work of the project will be done by September 1st, weather permitting.

Many Sartell businesses are staying positive, despite a dip in sales, as construction on a roundabout continues. The signs may say open, but the roads still say closed and local business, like The Blue Line, are feeling the heat.

Cold Spring is considering a roundabout at the Highway 2/Highway 50 intersection. Planning commission and county officials proposed the idea to the city council on Tuesday night.

If you live in Sartell you may need to find a new way to get to work tomorrow (Thursday).