WILLMAR -- Traffic patterns are expected to change after new streets are constructed in the Water View Business Park. It's hoped the new streets will relieve congestion on First Street and provide an alternate route to destinations in southeast Willmar.
Street improvements are part of the 115-acre business park being developed by park owner Duininck Bros. Inc. of Prinsburg.
Officials believe Fifth Street Southeast -- the north-south route through the heart of the business park -- will take some of the pressure off First Street.
Fifth Street is proposed for construction between 19th Avenue Southeast near the Kandi Entertainment Center and 28th Avenue Southeast near the Home Depot area.
North of 19th Avenue Southeast, the city of Willmar is considering the possibility of constructing Fifth Street Southeast from the Kandi Mall area to the Bremer Bank-Cash Wise Foods area.
ADVERTISEMENT
If the northern portion of Fifth Street Southeast is constructed, motorists will have an alternate route to shopping all the way from Willmar Avenue to 28th Avenue Southeast.
Two other streets are also planned: Ninth Street Southeast from 19th Avenue to 24th Avenue; and 24th Avenue Southeast from east of First Street to Ninth Street Southeast.
The city, under its transportation plan, eventually hopes to extend 24th Avenue northeasterly beyond Ninth Street to the Lakeland Drive/Willmar Avenue area.
The extension would provide an easier route to the southeast business area for motorists entering the city on Willmar Avenue Southeast from the Highway 71/23 bypass, thanks to completion of the bypass entrance and exit ramps.
Willmar Public Works Director Mel Odens says business park street improvements provide an important transportation link.
"It's just a piece of the puzzle that was identified eight to nine years ago of ultimate traffic flows in the southeast area, and it basically builds out the last piece to the bypass,'' he says.
Harris Duininck, vice president of Duininck Bros. Inc., says the entire traffic pattern in southeast Willmar will change.
"It's going to take an awful lot of traffic off of First Street because this particular development is going to be a point of destination for shoppers,'' he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Willmar City Council will hold a public hearing Monday night on the proposed street improvements. The engineer's estimate is $3,125,000.
If the council approves the improvements, the council will order preparation of plans and specifications, and bids will be opened in January for spring construction, according to a schedule proposed by the city engineering department.
The improvements consist of new construction, reconstruction, underground utility work, street lights, traffic signals and pedestrian paths.
New construction
* Fifth Street Southeast from 19th Avenue Southeast to 28th Avenue Southeast.
* 24th Avenue Southeast from 600 feet east of First Street to Ninth Street Southeast.
* Ninth Street Southeast from 19th Avenue Southeast to 24th Avenue Southeast.
Reconstruction
ADVERTISEMENT
* 19th Avenue Southeast from west of Fifth Street to east of Ninth Street Southeast.
* Underground utility work on 19th Avenue from Fifth Street to Ninth Street Southeast.
Street lights
* Fifth Street Southeast from 19th Avenue to 28th Avenue.
* 24th Avenue from 600 feet east of First Street to Ninth Street Southeast.
* Ninth Street from 19th Avenue to 24th Avenue Southeast.
* 19th Avenue Southeast from west of Fifth Street to east of Ninth Street Southeast.
Miscellaneous
ADVERTISEMENT
* Traffic signal system at intersection of Fifth Street and 19th Avenue Southeast.
* Pedestrian paths in various areas.
