The rebuilding of Haines Road following the 2012 flood has already won the praise of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as project of the year honors from the Minnesota County Engineers Association. Now, the $12 million project has earned international recognition. The American Public Works Association (APWA) has chosen the Haines Road project as its Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair Project of the Year.

Haines Road, officially known as County State Aid Highway 91, had already been slated for repairs when the flood hit, leaving extensive damage to this key route traveled by approximately 7,000 vehicles every day. Despite the immense scope of the project – it’s the largest individual road construction project ever for St. Louis County Public Works – engineers quickly modified and accelerated plans to complete what had been expected to be a two year project, in one construction season. This included working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to allocate storm repair funding toward a planned reconstruction project.

Along with fixing damage from the flood, the road project offered an excellent opportunity for a wider route and signage and guard-rail work along the massive curves the route takes on its way down the hill towards Lake Superior and West Duluth.

 

 

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