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Engineering
The Engineering Division coordinates the planning, design and construction of all public streets and utility projects, including right-of way acquisition, and maintains records on all public improvements that have been made within the city. This division also prepares feasibility reports and performs inspections of the capital improvement projects.
Engineering staff provides information and advice to City Council, Commissions and Committees, and City Departments concerning public utility infrastructure, development proposals, transportation, site development, and supervises/inspects all public construction projects.
The Mission of the Engineering Division is to provide on-time/on-budget delivery of infrastructure projects, at the highest level of quality, and with minimum disruptions in the project development cycle starting with early planning and funding stages through design and construction completion.
The Engineering Division provides the following services:
- Administration of Capital Improvement Projects for street, water main, storm sewer and sanitary sewer improvements
- Construction Inspections
- Emergency Repairs
- Grading/ESC Permits
- Mapping
- Pavement Management
- Permitting for Curb Cuts, Driveways, Obstructions, Sidewalks and Right of Way
- Project Design and Management
- Review of plats, surveys, grading and drainage plans
- Special Assessments
- Stormwater Management
- Traffic Sign and Signal Requests
- Utility Locates
Owatonna's pavement management program ensures that the City's streets are maintained in top condition. Engineering staff continually works to track street conditions and plan maintenance schedules, which helps to keep costs at a minimum. It's used as a guide to determine when to construct, overlay, or seal coat existing streets, improve curb and gutters, or repair deteriorating pavement, Costs associated with managing the community's transportation system is partially funded through special assessments to property owners adjacent to the improvements.
Owatonna is committed to maintaining the City's streets in a cost-efficient manner, ensuring streets are safe for all residents for years to come.
The City of Owatonna has approximately 137 centerline miles of city streets and the Street Department is responsible for maintenance, repair and snow plowing of those local streets and cul-de-sacs. It is also responsible for:
- Maintaining traffic signals
- Pavement markings
- Stormwater Systems
- Sanitary Systems
- Street name and regulatory signs
- Tree trimming along boulevards
The City of Owatonna has seventeen bridges located on the street system that are inspected and maintained to insure safe travel.
To determine when and if traffic signals is necessary (warranted), traffic engineers compare existing conditions against nationally accepted minimum guidelines - often called "warrants." When these warrants are met a traffic signal may be considered for installation. There are no requirements that a signal must be installed.
Traffic signals, like most things mechanical, will need periodic maintenance. One of the most common maintenance items is the changing of bulbs. If you observe a bulb out or what you perceive as a traffic signal malfunction please contact the city. To report any signals needing maintenance, call 507.444.4350