The Flood of 2012 will always be remembered by those that lived through it.  Along with the thousands of homeowners that suffered destruction of their personal property, many roadways in our area were damaged as well.

The cleanup has been long but now appears to be finished - at least for Saint Louis County.  Just last week, the Public Works department celebrated the completion of the reconstruction of Highland Street in West Duluth.

In total, the project cost the county $12 million dollars - making it the second-largest ever for the government body;  funding came largely from flood-bonding dollars.

According to information supplied by Saint Louis County:

The “Highland Street project” involved the rebuilding of 1.5 miles of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 89, an L-shaped stretch that includes 57th Avenue West and Highland Street. It also included the reconfiguration of the five-leg intersection where Highland, Vinland Street, Getchell Road and Skyline Parkway met into a standard four-leg intersection; and the re-paving of nearly two miles of Getchell Road. Highland Street was reconstructed between 57th Avenue West and Skyline Parkway, with the road widened to allow for safer parking, plus a sidewalk was added. A 183-foot bridge now spans Keene Creek, replacing a culvert that was damaged by the flood. Accommodations for the Superior Hiking Trail were added beneath the bridge and a new trail access parking lot was added at the Skyline intersection. Additionally, 57th Avenue West was reconstructed between Cody and Highland Streets. Sanitary sewer, water lines, and the sidewalk were replaced. In all, 2,000 cubic yards of rock were excavated and 21,000 tons of bituminous pavement was laid.

Work on Highland Street was only temporarily delayed in order to allow the reconstruction of Haines Road in order to minimize detour inconveniences. The Haines Road reconstruction was necessary due to the Flood of 2012 as well.

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