ALEXANDRIA — Residents and visitors to Alexandria will encounter a short detour as a much-anticipated road project gets underway near the Viking Plaza Mall.

Work on a stretch of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 46, also named 34th Avenue, begins Tuesday, May 13 and will last through August. The impacted roadway is between South Broadway and the railroad tracks to the east.

“This project will result in a number of improvements,” said County Engineer Tim Erickson. “We’ve listened to residents requests for a wider road, an improved center turn lane, and a walkway on the north side and are now responding in coordination with ALP Utilities and Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District.”

Specifically, the project will result in 11-foot-wide driving lanes, an improved center turn lane, upgraded water main, sanitary sewer improvements, and a ten-foot-wide walking/biking path on the north side of the road.

Detour signs will be in place advising motorists approaching from the west to use S. Broadway to the north to 30th Avenue to the east then continuing east on 22nd Avenue E and then south on Pioneer Road SE. Those motorists approaching from the west will turn north on Pioneer Road and reverse the route. Signs will be in place to assist throughout the detour. Residents who live or work in the detoured area will be given access as needed.

Joe Riley Construction is the contractor. Douglas County will provide any additional updates as needed throughout the project.