Project Updates

Project updates

Construction update – 5/14/25

On Wednesday, crews began connecting properties along 4th Street and 11th Avenue in Phase 1A to temporary water to allow them to begin water service work. Early next week, once all properties are on temporary water and the existing water main is sealed off (or “capped”), crews will begin installing new sanitary sewer in all areas of Phase 1A. New water main installation will follow.

See map below: Phase 1A includes 4th Street from 10th to 13th Avenue and 11th Avenue from 4th to 5th Street.

Howard Lake phasing map

Construction has begun!

Construction began on Monday, May 5 with tree removals throughout the project area and pavement removals along 4th Street (Phase 1A). The construction team set up temporary water and began testing; you will be notified by the contractor when your water will be connected.

Crews remove trees and sidewalks in the project area. Construction crews remove pavement along 4th Street.

Thank you for attending the Howard Lake open house!

Project staff explain construction plans to open house attendees

The project team would like to thank all of those who came out to learn more about the Howard Lake Street and Utility Improvements Project last week. It was a great opportunity for the project team to hear residents’ concerns and for residents to learn more about what to expect before construction begins later this year.

If you have questions or concerns about the project, please contact:

Jeremy Klatt
Foreman, Latour Construction
612-366-9507

Jonas Svavarsson
On-Site Inspector, Bolton & Menk
320-429-0131

Additional project contacts

Tree removals

To prepare for construction, tree removals will begin on Monday, April 28. While we try to avoid removing trees to the extent possible, it is necessary to remove some trees that will be impacted by construction. Trees that will need to be removed will be marked with a pink ribbon.

Contracting

On February 7, 2025, the City received 11 competitive bids (shown below) for the USDA Phase 1 – Infrastructure Improvement Project. Bid amounts ranged from $6,817,938.56 to $8,615,545.20. On March 17, the Council voted to approve and award the construction contract to LaTour Construction, Inc. of Maple Lake, Minnesota.

1.	LaTour Construction, Inc. Maple Lake, MN	$6,817,938.56
2.	S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc. Jordan, MN	$6,994,898.41
3.	RL Larson Excavating Inc. St. Cloud, MN	$7,096,602.07
4.	C&L Excavating, Inc St. Joseph, MN	$7,241,838.82
5.	Kuechle Underground Inc. Kimball, MN	$7,286,391.79
6.	Northdale Construction Company, Inc. Albertville, MN	$7,303,074.69
7.	R & R Excavating, Inc. Hutchinson, MN	$7,488,832.90
8.	Landwehr Construction, Inc. St. Cloud, MN	$7,667,912.87
9.	Hjerpe Contracting, Inc. Hutchinson, MN	$7,746,677.72
10.	Valley Paving, Inc. Shakopee, MN	$7,826,826.00
11.	Duininck, Inc. Prinsburg, MN	$8,615,545.20