MnDOT says Highway 53/Borgen Road project will be bid Feb. 5; city share about $722,100 before grants

A Minnesota Department of Transportation representative told the Virginia City Council that final plans for the Highway 53/Borgen Road project are advertised and the project is set for a February 5 bid letting. MnDOT said work could start in April with the most disruptive detour scheduled to occur during June–August when school is out, and that the city’s estimated obligation under a four‑party cooperative agreement is roughly $722,100 before the city’s successful active transportation grant.

Alex Perez of MnDOT said the project’s final plans are complete and being advertised, with the bid letting scheduled for Feb. 5. He said the project team is preparing a cooperative agreement among MnDOT, St. Louis County, the city of Eveleth and the city of Virginia to set cost shares, maintenance responsibilities and ownership of lighting and other systems. Perez said the agreement package will include a resolution for the city to adopt so the project can proceed.

Councilors pressed for clarity on the city’s share. Perez said the agreement currently shows a city obligation of about $722,100. He noted the city applied for and received an active-transportation grant capped at $198,000; the grant reduces the city obligation and the council discussed using state-aid funds for the remaining local share. City staff and MnDOT confirmed the city’s planned work includes Oregon Road from Midway Drive up to the school-access roadway and related improvements that staff expect would otherwise be performed in coming years.

Perez outlined the anticipated schedule: bid letting on Feb. 5; contract start targeted in early April for initial work near bridges; the most impactful detour — rerouting Highway 53 traffic via a northbound/southbound temporary route near the hockey hall of fame and Borgen Road — is planned for June, July and August with reopening timed for the school fall semester; bridge replacements will take about a full season. Councilors asked MnDOT to coordinate with emergency services and local volunteer responders about detour and access plans. Perez said the county is developing a related connecting roadway project and the agencies are coordinating schedules to limit multi‑year impacts.

Councilors said they will review funding options and confirm a city resolution to accompany the cooperative agreement. MnDOT indicated follow-up public outreach will occur once a contractor is under contract and recommended a council resolution to finalize the cooperative agreement terms ahead of the letting.