Construction improvements to the Coney Street and CSAH #8 (3rd Avenue SE) intersection began on Wednesday, September 6.
It was a rocky start, at least from the perspective of Perham merchants. The complicated detours and temporary shutdowns of Hwy 78 had many retailers concerned about access to their establishments, said Bob Louiseau, city manager, who has been attempting to keep businesses and motorists informed after a number of complaints Sept. 6-8.
"The first day was total chaos," said Greg Keil, manager at Dean's Country Market. "I don't think the crews were real organized when they got here...and the traffic was a lot heavier than they realized."
Confused motorists--including as 18-wheel truck drivers--were using the Dean's parking lot to pull over, get their bearings straight, and turn around if necessary.
"We had a lot of merry-go-rounds around the gas pumps that first day," said Keil.
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The construction encompasses an area from the Highway #10 overpass on Highway #78 to north of the intersection at the Dairy Queen, Dean's Country Market and Bremer Bank.
Numerous businesses in the immediate commercial area were impacted the first few days. But business owners further into town, including the downtown district, were also concerned that the difficulty getting through Perham's primary entrance to town might prompt motorists to continue driving on--to Detroit Lakes, for example.
The construction will include changing the radius on curbs, installing curb and gutter, installing underground facilities for a future traffic light, removing and replacing of the blacktop and underlying gravel material and related work.
The Contractor will try to keep this area open for local traffic as much as possible. They expect the work to be completed in approximately 1 1/2 months.
During construction, it will be necessary to close off traffic periodically, especially when work activities are taking place between Judd Street and the Highway #10 overpass.
Detours have been set up to minimize the impact on local people and visitors entering the community as follows:
--- School access will be maintained along Judd Street (near the old Hardees building), Jenny Avenue and Coney Street (westerly of the construction zone). There will be times when this access will be restricted.
--- Driving east along Highway #10, proceed past the Highway #78 exit, cross the bridge on the Otter Tail River and take the next left, continue into Perham.
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--- Driving west along Highway #10, take the County Road #80 exit on the east side of Perham
--- Driving north on Highway #78 take a right on Highway #10 interchange and proceed east on Highway #10 over the bridge on the Otter Tail River and take the next left, continue into Perham
--- The contractor will maintain an access along the Highway #78 entrance to Perham for emergency vehicles and local traffic whenever possible. There will be times when this access will be restricted.
--- Local businesses in the Palubicki Development including: Conoco, Super 8, Wild Goose, All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, Car Care Car Wash, NAPA, Farm Service Agency, Greenspire, Dairy Queen, Dean's Country Market and Bremer Bank are all accessible via detour routes.
Please drive with care in the construction zone. Safety is everyone's concern.
