Water Treatment Plant construction reaches milestone with embeds going into roadway at 16th Street S

Minot, N.D. – A late-project milestone is almost complete this week at the Water Treatment Plant, as placement of embedded steel anchor plates in the roadway will allow for future temporary flood walls to protect the plant during a flood event. This portion of the project was manufactured overseas and recently cleared customs on its way to Minot. As the project passes this milestone the city is one step closer to opening 16th Street SW to the public.

“While there was a delay in getting this critical piece of floodwall infrastructure to town, the contractor has indicated that if all goes well they hope to have the road back open to the public right around Labor Day weekend,” said Dan Jonasson, Minot public works director. “With this piece in place, the floodwalls on the east and west side of the road can be connected by temporary ‘flood wall stop logs’ should the need arise and provide protection to one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in our community and region, the water treatment plant.”

The contractor, Wagner Construction, has said they are ahead of schedule in other key portions of the HMGP-Water Treatment Plant Project, including the placement of foundations and floodwalls. Work continues just off the main site, as crews are laying in larger storm water pipes and manholes on or near Burdick Expressway and 11th Avenue SW, to allow for proper drainage on the “dry side” of the floodwalls during a large rain event.

Until 16th Street SW is open to the public, drivers are encouraged to use the marked detour route, by using Second Avenue SW, Sixth Street SW (by the Minot Public Library and Minot City Hall), and Burdick Expressway.

The HMGP–Water Treatment Plant Project is designed to prevent future floods from contaminating and interrupting the potable water supply production and transmission at the Minot Water Treatment Plant and NAWS High Service Pump Station.

In total, 1,720 linear feet of concrete floodwalls on the south side of the Mouse River will be installed on this project to protect against a 2011-level flood event, plus freeboard. These floodwalls will tie into two new temporary roadway closure structures at 16th Street SW and Water Treatment Plant Road (12th Street SW). Earthen levees and the adjustment of intake structures at the treatment plant are also part of the project.

Residents with questions are encouraged to follow the City of Minot Facebook page, like the Mouse River Plan Facebook page, sign up for email alerts through the city’s website or www.mouseriverplan.com, or contact the public information officer for the project, Mark Lyman with Odney at 857-7205 or the City’s Public Information Officer Derek Hackett, at 857-4727.