Southwest Hutchinson bypass construction starts

Construction began today (Sept. 25) on the County Road 115 ring road extension, southwest of Hutchinson.

The 3.5-mile, $3.6-million extension will link South Grade Road with county roads 8 and 7. It is expected to reduce congestion in downtown Hutchinson from vehicles traveling between state highways 7 and 15.

During the next two months, crews will perform grading and culvert installation on Vale Avenue, between County Road 8 and South Grade Road. In spring 2009, work will recommence on remaining grading, removal of existing asphalt, realignment of County Road 8 and concrete paving. Vale Avenue will be closed to all but local traffic until the end of the project.

For more information, visit the Highway Department’s Web site at www.co.mcleod.mn.us/highway and click on “Road Construction” or call project engineer Tim Becker at (320) 234-0235.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)