News Summary
Paving delays at the College Drive and Saratoga Street intersection are causing traffic disruptions as students prepare to return to school. R and G Construction is working on road improvements, but the intersection is expected to remain closed during the school opening. The project includes establishing safer pedestrian crossings for children and is part of a broader initiative to enhance the local infrastructure. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while construction continues, with significant upgrades scheduled in the coming months.
Marshall, Minnesota – Paving delays at the intersection of West College Drive and Saratoga Street are affecting traffic as students prepare to return to school next week. R and G Construction is currently undertaking roadway improvements, but the intersection is unlikely to reopen in time for the start of classes at local schools on Wednesday.
Excavators have been onsite, preparing a trench for utility line installation near the National Guard Armory as part of a larger project that involves constructing a roundabout at the three-way intersection. Utility and grading work continues in the affected area, with efforts to enhance pedestrian safety for children crossing the intersection during school traffic. To address these concerns, marked crossings with a hard surface are being established, ensuring a safe passage for students.
As of last week, the Saratoga intersection was closed to vehicle traffic to facilitate concrete paving work. R and G Construction representatives are in communication with Marshall Public Schools, and Erika Coudron from the construction team plans to assist children at the intersection as school resumes. Although the region remains under construction, contractors anticipate integrating the ends of the intersection with the main roadway within one to two weeks, weather permitting.
Classes at Southview Elementary and Marshall Middle School will begin on Wednesday, September 6. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while construction is underway. Although the intersection is closed, other Highway 19 crossings remain open, with temporary detours in effect along Lyon County Road 7 and Minnesota Highway 23. Additionally, while some segments of road remain open to local traffic, major disruptions are expected as concrete road surface work is set to commence Monday at 6:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, ongoing reconstruction efforts include significant updates on West College Drive near the National Guard Armory. Crews are nearing completion of water and sewer pipe installations, and grading work is also progressing. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is overseeing the roundabout construction, with the next phase of concrete paving anticipated to begin next week, barring any weather delays.
Looking ahead, a fourth and final phase of construction on College Drive between Legion Field and Fourth Street is scheduled to commence in the fall, following a slight delay between the end of the current stage and the start of the next phase. This continuous construction effort is part of a broader $175 million initiative—the Marshall Energy Center—aimed at enhancing the electrical grid’s reliability and supporting affordable energy costs for the community.
The Marshall Energy Center project began with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 22 and is part of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance’s “Building MO Power” initiative. When completed, this facility will feature four natural gas turbines installed in two phases, with operations expected to commence from 2026 to 2029. The energy center will generate 134 megawatts of power in winter and 99 megawatts in summer, enough to supply energy to three cities the size of Marshall.
The project aims not only to enhance local electric grid reliability but also to create job opportunities and support infrastructure development, ultimately boosting community vitality. As the construction progresses, residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow any updates from local officials regarding traffic patterns and safety measures during this transitional period.
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Additional Resources
- Marshall Independent: Construction Work Continues on Saratoga Intersection
- KOMU: Natural Gas Energy Facility Set to Break Ground in Marshall
- Marshall News: New Marshall Energy Center Celebrated with Groundbreaking Ceremony
- Wikipedia: Marshall, Missouri
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Marshall, Missouri
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