By Lori Ehde
In a project that has already seen its share of setbacks, Lincoln Street work in Luverne hit another bump last week.
After putting in the curb and gutter along both sides of the street, crews noticed an elevation error that would have caused problems in the direction of water drainage at Spring and Oakley streets.
This prompted removal of 250 feet of new curb and gutter on the south side of the street Friday.
"It was our mistake," said Rock County Highway Engineer Mark Sehr. "There was an error in our elevation measurements."
Sehr said the error cost the county about $5,000, but it didn't affect the timeline of the project. He said concrete crews were scheduled to work on a different project while the 250 feet of curb and gutter was torn out.
Work started July 9 on rebuilding the county-state-aid road that was due to be finished by the end of September.
Rupp Construction, Slayton, opted to work on other projects in the area for several weeks this summer, and for every day work extends into October, a $400-per-day penalty is imposed, Sehr said.
Penalties will be deducted from what the county pays Rupp when the work is completed.
The $300,000 project includes work on sewer and water lines, and sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
Lincoln Street from Cedar Street east to Blue Mound Avenue is torn up. Traffic can get to Glen's Food Center parking lot from Lincoln, but everything east of the grocery store is impassable by vehicle.
Others affected by the closed street include the Fire Department, Post Office, County Attorney's Office, Luverne Senior Center and apartment buildings.
Sehr said paving could start as early as next week.
"If the weather holds, we should wrap up the whole project by Oct. 26," he said. "It might be before then, but I'm not going to guess anymore on this project."
Sod work on the boulevards will be completed next spring.