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Returning library books might be a little more difficult these days, especially since part of Spruce Street is torn up right now. Still, getting to the library, and a few other downtown businesses, can be done.

Two weeks into the reconstruction project, Farmington city engineer Kevin Schorzman is pleased with the progress. However, he has received phone calls about accessibility issues surrounding the project.

Spruce Street will be closed for the rest of the summer while water main, storm water drainage and sanitary sewer improvements are made. The project blocks off Spruce Street from Second through Fourth streets, which makes getting to places like the library or the post office’s annex building a little tricky.

Right now, pavement has been removed along Spruce Street. Last week, utility work began between Fourth and Third streets; this week, that utility work extends westward to Second Street.

Before long, curb and gutter will be poured, but it will most likely be late September or early October before the project is complete.

“It seems like things are going fast, but I don’t want people to get too excited because there’s a lot to do yet,” Schorzman said.

Roadblocks

Accessing businesses along Third Street, between Oak and Spruce, is still possible, even though there are barricades in place. For the most part, Schorzman said, patrons should be able to drive through the barricades and park on the street to access Rambling River Center, the VFW and other businesses on that block.

The same goes for Fourth Street, where the only business that has been directly affected is Anchor Bank. Patrons are able to pass between barricades to get back onto Oak Street once they have used the drive-through. However, Spruce Street is torn up at the corner of Fourth and Spruce, so vehicles cannot turn right to go south.

Getting to the Dakota County Library in Farmington is a little more difficult, especially if visitors are used to taking Spruce Street or Third Street from the north to get there. Schorzman suggested coming into downtown on Elm Street, turning south onto Fifth Street and taking Fifth south to Walnut Street, then taking Walnut west to Third Street and accessing the library from there. The same route is suggested for getting to the post office’s annex building, located across the street from the library.

Residents should also be ready to take alternate routes to the fairgrounds next month, as the roads will still be torn up during the Dakota County Fair. Schorzman said taking Denmark Avenue to Ash Street will allow visitors to miss the reconstruction project hang-ups.

Another closing

On Tuesday, a section of Highway 3 between Farmington and Rosemount was closed off for the rest of the summer while a roundabout is constructed just south of the Southern Hills Golf Course. The suggested alternate route is to take Pilot Knob north, using Elm Street/County Road 50 as the east-west route through downtown and 160th Street/County Road 46 as the east-west route to the north.

Tags: news, spruce, street, repairs