The Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to invite business owners and managers to hear about the Bridges of Mower County project along Interstate 90 in Austin.

A project informational meeting is scheduled for 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Town Center Conference Room. Register by calling the Chamber at 437-4561.

There is no charge.

Mn/DOT will be replacing four bridges beginning this summer as a design-build project and they are looking for your feedback and comments on the project. Mn/DOT is hoping to work with business owners and residents of Austin to help the project progress as smoothly as possible. Project Manager Terry Ward will deliver the presentations and answer questions from affected businesses.

The Bridges of Mower County project includes replacing the following four Interstate 90 bridges:

  Dobbins Creek Box Culvert

  Oakland Avenue Interstate 90 overpass

  Turtle Creek eastbound and westbound bridges

Construction is expected to begin in June and continue through September 2010. Part of the project is funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (or stimulus) funding. The total project cost is about $13,560,000.

Throughout construction motorists will experience single lane opposing traffic on alternating sides of I-90. In addition, the Oakland Avenue ramp will be closed and there will be ramp closures from Highway 218 to westbound I-90, along with closures of Eighth Ave. NE and 10th Pl. NE.

Design-Build differs from the typical construction process by bringing the designers and contractors together earlier in the process.  Instead of designing the project, letting it, and then constructing the project, Mn/DOT combines forces with the contractor early on.  The design-build team then works together to satisfy the project requirements, which creates greater efficiency and cost savings for the department.