Fergus Falls staff outline timeline for Highway 210 interchange, Cleveland Avenue work and lead‑line replacements

City engineering staff gave the Committee of the Whole a status update on a broad set of public‑works projects and resident communication tools.

Joshua (engineering) led the presentation, describing several projects in design or early construction: the Highway 210 interchange replacement (a state‑administered project with traffic bypasses and planned demolition), Lake Alice and Lagoon Park improvements (state review steps), Otter Tail Valley signal replacement, and multiple local street projects (Cleveland Avenue, Kevor, Junius Avenue and Douglas Avenue). On Cleveland Avenue, staff said the local gas company is replacing mains first; the contractor will wait for the gas work to finish before doing full underground removal for safety reasons.

Joshua said the phase‑one lead service‑line replacement plan identified roughly 22 service lines and that staff applied for grant dollars (staff referenced a roughly $750,000–$1,000,000 range of grant funding as part of the discussion). The plan needs certification by June 30 before the city can go to bid. Staff said if bids come in cheaper they can add more lines; if pricier they will scale the project to fit available grant dollars.

Council members asked about construction notices to businesses and residents, alley paving schedules (likely closer to fall for some alleys), patching and temporary maintenance (including pothole and hot‑mix operations once plants open), and signage for problem railroad crossings. Staff pointed attendees to a project page on the city website (fergusfallsmn.gov → utility projects) that will host weekly updates and photos.

No formal action was taken; staff will return with bid results, schedule updates and additional communications as projects progress.