Public Works approves consent calendar that includes contingency request for Minnesota Streetscape after crews hit large tree roots

The Public Works Commission on June 26 approved its consent calendar, which included a request to increase the construction contingency for the Minnesota Streetscape project after crews uncovered large tree roots that conflicted with the planned walkway.

Project manager Jeffrey Jackson told commissioners the contractor encountered tree roots roughly 4 inches in diameter during excavation for the Minnesota Grove section of the project. Jackson said the roots extended well outside the tree’s drip line and could not be cut without risking instability of the tree. To keep the pathway ADA compliant, staff…