Streets and sidewalks continue to be removed as construction on 2nd Ave. progresses. Sanitary sewer installation was underway at 1st St. and storm sewer was not far behind at 2nd St. early in the week. Dewatering must be done before new lines can be put in. All during this week the intersections at 1st, 2nd and 3rd Streets will be closed off and on, but not at the same time. Drivers should be able to cross 2nd Ave. at one of those intersections. Some additional work on 2nd St. is part of the project. It might be torn up by the end of this week for dewatering, beginning of next week for sure. Dewatering pulls about a foot of water a day and the contractor estimates that 2nd St. will take two days because

Meanwhile, on the other end of the project, new curb and gutter and sidewalks can be seen along the east side of 2nd Avenue in Staples. Below, looking west, is the intersection of 2nd Ave. and 8th Street NE. Space has been reserved on the residential blocks for grass boulevards and trees. Black dirt is the water table gets higher the further west they go. This will soon be an issue for Burger King because they will lose the exit for their drive through. The contractor said he would try to keep that closure to a minimum and enable temporary access across the construction area. Mark Pagnac of Staples Bakery and Convenience expressed concerned at the Monday morning construction meeting about the inhibited access over the Labor Day weekend to the businesses like his that rely somewhat on traffic to stop. School buses will begin running next week and some accommodations may have to be made for them.(Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) being brought in for the boulevards and wherever lawns were disturbed. Fourth St. from 3rd Ave to Hwy. 10 is seeing the beginning of curb and gutter installation this week. Conduit for electrical service will be laid behind the curb, then the area will be shaped for sidewalk. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs)