About this project
Summary
Hwy 4 through the city of St. James was in poor condition and in disrepair. The city utility infrastructure was also in poor condition and experiencing multiple breaks each winter. The project included reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of Hwy 4, including two new mini-roundabouts. Project elements include:
- Reconstruct Hwy 4 from approximately 200 feet south of 10th Avenue S. to 11th Avenue N.
- Realign 7th Avenue S. to address the skew and increase safety
- Construct mini-roundabouts at the two existing signals on 1st Avenue
- Provide back-in diagonal parking downtown
- Replace existing sidewalk and install new sidewalk
- Bring all pedestrian accommodations up to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards
- Upgrade city utility infrastructure - storm sewer throughout the corridor
- Upgrade lighting standards and fixtures
- Downtown aesthetics (PDF)
Tree removal
Native trees will be planted along Hwy 4 in residential areas following completion of construction work. Approximately 130 new trees of 8-10 different varieties will provide a more diversified and sustainable urban forest in St. James. In addition, the city of St. James will remove about 75 trees on city streets and is working on a reforestation plan.
Innovative grant
The Federal Highway Administration awarded MnDOT and the city of St. James a demonstration grant to construct two mini-roundabouts and back-in-diagonal parking as part of the Hwy 4 reconstruction project in 2016-17. The Accelerated Innovation Deployment grant is for $934,000 and will be applied to the shared cost of the mini-roundabouts replacing signalized Hwy 4 intersections with 7th Street and Armstrong Boulevard in St. James.