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Technology Drive Street Improvement Project

Proposed Improvements

The City of Willmar is moving forward with planned improvements to the Technology Drive area. Design efforts are currently underway. The scope of improvements includes:

  • Asphalt resurfacing
  • Spot repairs to concrete curb and gutter
  • Targeted storm sewer repairs

Construction Method

The project will utilize a Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) process. This involves grinding the existing asphalt pavement and aggregate base to create a recycled material known as “reclaim.” A portion of the subgrade will be excavated to accommodate a thicker aggregate base. The reclaimed material will be reused and capped with new aggregate base, which will be shaped, compacted, and paved with new bituminous surfacing.

The contractor’s general construction sequence is outlined in the construction newsletter. Additional clarification on the reclamation and street base construction sequence is provided below:

  1. Full Depth Reclamation will be performed across all phases of Technology Drive.
  2. Reclaim material from Phase 2 will be used as the new street base for Phase 3.
  3. Reclaim from Phase 1 will be used for Phase 2, and reclaim from Phase 3 will be used for Phase 1.
  4. All phases will then receive new aggregate base material, resulting in a strengthened street base.

Phasing Map

Alternative Construction Access

Traffic Access During Construction

  • During street base operations in Phases 2 and 3, access to Technology Drive will be maintained via the Phase 1 area.
  • When construction shifts to Phase 1, access to the MinnWest Technology Campus will be provided via Phases 2 and 3 and through the Prairie Lakes Youth Programs access to Civic Center Drive.
  • Please refer to the alternative access map for details.

Construction Update

October 17, 2025

The Contractor’s anticipated schedule for the next three weeks is provided below. This schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions.

Week of October 20

  • Paving the first lift of asphalt paving (October 21)
  • Raise manholes and gate valves

Week of October 27

  • Paving the final lift of asphalt pavement
  • Seeding/turf establishment

Week of November 3

  • Project is substantially completed. Moving forward the contractor will intermittently complete punch list items.  If there are any items that you believe need to be addressed prior to the completion of the project, please contact Nate Thein at the contact information provided.

Additional Notes

Asphalt Paving Plan
Asphalt paving has been phased to allow access to different parts of technology drive during the paving process.

1. Civic Center Drive to Parking Lot O

  • Paving will begin at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and Technology Drive, with both lanes will be paved up to Parking Lot O.
  • The south entrance to 16th Street NE will be closed; the north entrance will remain open.
  • The southwest access to Parking Lot O will be closed; the northeast access will remain open.

2. Parking Lot O to the north entrance to 16th Street NE

  • Both lanes will be paved from Parking Lot O to the north entrance of 16th Street NE.
  • The north entrance to 16th Street NE will be closed; the south entrance will be open.
  • The northeast access to Parking Lot O will be closed; the southwest access will be open.

3. North Entrance of 16th Street NE to 23rd Street NE

  • The final paving segment will extend from the north entrance of 16th Street NE to 23rd Street NE.
  • The north entrance to 16th Street NE will be closed; the south entrance will remain open.
  • Both access points to Parking Lot O will be available during this phase.

Turf Establishment Care
To give your grass the best opportunity to flourish please consider the following:

  1. Do not water the grass until spring 2026.
  2. Do not rake the hydromulch. It contains seed & fertilizer.  The hydromulch will naturally decompose.
  3. Do not add any chemicals/fertilizers to the newly seeded area. We have already added fertilizer and pre-emergent weed killer.  Adding more can potentially burn the new grass seed.
  4. Avoid foot traffic on newly seeded areas.

All newly seeded areas for this project will be re-evaluated in the spring of 2026 for warranty work.

Alternative Construction Access
Access to the southeast area of the MinnWest Technology Campus will be maintained via the Prairie Lakes Youth Programs access to Civic Center Drive during construction in Phases 1 and 2. Access to areas adjacent to Phase 3 will remain available via 16th Street and Phases 1 and 2 of Technology Drive. Businesses with sole access from Technology Drive are encouraged to contact the City’s Project Manager, Spencer Johnson, for coordination.

New Concrete Notice
Please avoid driving on newly poured concrete curbs and driveways for at least 7 days to allow proper curing and strength development.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve your streets.

Contractor

Duininck Incorporated

Prinsburg, MN

Documents

Concrete Notice – Curb and Gutter

Construction Newsletter 01

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Engineer Contacts

Nate Thein
On-site Construction Representative, Bolton & Menk, Inc.
(320)-979-9070
Nate.Thein@bolton-menk.com

Spencer Johnson
Project Manager, Bolton & Menk, Inc.
(320)-979-6136
Spencer.Johnson@bolton-menk.com

Contractor Contact

Crystal Swanson
Project Manager, Duininck Inc.
(320)-212-9384
crystalswanson@duininck.com