GLAD YOU ASKED: Emergency plan in place for construction areas
Q. I live on Seventh Avenue near Minnesota Street. Because of the street reconstruction, I have no access to my home. I have to park on a different street and walk to my house. What would happen if there was an emergency, like a medical situation or a fire, at one of the blocked-off homes? How would emergency responders get access to the home? Also, why is this project happening now with school about to start at the middle school just up the street and traffic sure to be affected by the construction?
- Emergency access
Q. I live on Seventh Avenue near Minnesota Street. Because of the street reconstruction, I have no access to my home. I have to park on a different street and walk to my house. What would happen if there was an emergency, like a medical situation or a fire, at one of the blocked-off homes? How would emergency responders get access to the home? Also, why is this project happening now with school about to start at the middle school just up the street and traffic sure to be affected by the construction?
A. If there were an emergency at a home located in the construction zone, emergency vehicles would likely use Wisconsin Street or Edmunds Street to get as close as possible, then responders would proceed on foot from there, according to Mitchell Assistant Fire Chief Paul Morris. In case of a fire, hydrants are available in the area, and hoses can be dragged for blocks if fire trucks are unable to get close.
“It’s not going to be a significant delay,” Morris said. “We do have alternate routes to get there.”
According to Mitchell Public Works Director Tim McGannon, the city did consider the start of the school year when planning the construction project.
“It’s going to be inconvenient for a while, but we hope to have Minnesota Street open within a week of school opening,” McGannon said.
The intersection of Seventh Avenue and Minnesota Street will be covered in gravel once a new water main is installed, after which it will open to traffic, he said. McGannon hopes the entire project will be completed by mid-September.
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Tags: glad you asked, news, updates, streets, local, mitchell
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