Austin City Council receives update on local funding for Interstate 90 bridge replacement project at Monday meeting

The Austin City Council received an update concerning local funding for the Interstate 90 bridge replacement project from Public Works Director Steven Lang at a work session following their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening.  

Lang stated to the council that the city continues to work with MnDOT as they finalize plans and specifications in anticipation of a fall 2023 bid letting for the project, and he added that in early June, the city received their most recent cost estimate as it relates to local cost.  Lang added that the city has also worked with the Hormel Foundation to update them on costs associated with aesthetic improvements involved with the project, and he stated that the total estimated cost will be broken down between the Municipal State Aid Fund, which will total $610,883, the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Fund will cover $67,616 of the cost for the 14th St. NW sanitary sewer portion of the project, and $175,021 of the total will come from a Hormel Foundation grant, including a community sign totaling $167,000.  The total project itself will involve six bridges over Interstate 90 in Austin, with work to possibly start as early as the spring of 2024, and the project would continue until 2026 at a total estimated cost of $45-$50 million.

In items of business on their regular agenda Monday evening, the Austin City Council approved an 3-year ICM agreement with WCI Austin Landfill, LLC, and they also unanimously approved a contract with WHKS Engineering Services of Rochester totaling $744,820 for the reconstruction of Oakland Avenue and 1st Avenue SW, which will be a three-phase project spanning from 2025 to 2027.  In other business, the council approved the purchase of a new drone for the Austin Police Department totaling $3,521, and they also approved a Greater Minnesota Legacy Grant application for a Jay C. Hormel Nature Center supplemental teaching staff project.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Austin City Council will be held on Monday, August 7th at 5:30 p.m. at the Austin City Council chambers.