Construction continues on Mora stormwater infrastructure project

Construction work is continuing on a stormwater infrastructure project in Mora.

In an interview on Thursday, Mora public utilities general manager Joe Kohlgraf said the installation of an outlet pipe to divert excess water from Mora Lake will help mitigate flooding risks.

"With this storm mitigation pipe, we have enough funds from the state ... to redo our infrastructure, so during this time period we've been pushing the storm sewer in, and adding more storm sewer, and updating water and sewer infrastructure," Kohlgraf said. "So it's been quite a process. And, unfortunately, it's really messed with traffic."

The project was coordinated with Kanabec County Road 6 reconstruction, which includes sections of Maple Avenue from Union Street west to Highway 47.

According to a notice from the city, access on Maple Avenue from Union Street was closed Monday to finish utility installations.

The intersection of Grove Street and Maple Avenue was recently paved and reopened to traffic, which Kohlgraf said has been a "big help."

"Having Maple open has really opened up the north-south through the city, so that's helped quite a bit," Kohlgraf said.

Kohlgraf added that Wood Street and Maple Avenue could be open fairly soon after grading takes place in the next week and a half.

"From Wood Street to Union [Street] will be limited access for a little while, so we feel bad for the businesses and library," he said. "But once we get done with that, then they'll be hitting Park Street."

Kohlgraf said Park Street will likely be completed later in the project's timeline.

"We're looking at probably the end of September before that gets done," he said.

According to a press release from the city, the project is expected to be completed by late September or early October.