City of Owatonna - Public Works

06/09/2026

REMINDER - Frontage Road West from Culvers to Dean's Towing is CLOSED today Tuesday, June 9 for paving operations. Please use an alternate route. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

ROAD CLOSED - FRONTAGE ROAD WEST
Frontage Road West will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for paving operations. Traffic going to Culver's will have access through the North driveway. Traffic accessing the businesses on the east side of the closure should detour to 26th Street NE and drive South on Frontage Road West. Olivia's patrons may use the Dean's Towing access driveway during this time.

06/08/2026

ROAD CLOSED - FRONTAGE ROAD WEST
Frontage Road West will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for paving operations. Traffic going to Culver's will have access through the North driveway. Traffic accessing the businesses on the east side of the closure should detour to 26th Street NE and drive South on Frontage Road West. Olivia's patrons may use the Dean's Towing access driveway during this time.

06/04/2026

The Owatonna Stormwater Specialist and Clean River Partners staff will be at a booth during the June 4 Downtown Thursday Event!

Stop by to learn more about pollution prevention, the rain garden cost share program. and Adopt-a-Drain. These public participation programs help keep the Straight River clean.

Hope to see you there!

https://owatonna.gov/425/Rain-Garden-Cost-Share
https://owatonna.gov/1816/Adopt-a-Drain

05/18/2026

Sanitary Sewer Cleaning

Our Wastewater Treatment Collections Crew is jetting sewer mains in the NE part of town (Zone 4). Jetting uses high‑pressure water to clear debris like wipes, grit, grease, and other buildup from the pipes.

Residents may notice gurgling sounds or occasional odors. After crews pass your area, it is recommended to refill your drain traps to help prevent odors.

If you have questions or notice any issues, call the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 507‑444‑2452.

https://owatonna.gov/1975/Sanitary-Sewer-Cleaning

05/15/2026

The Owatonna Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion project has been completed. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be July 11 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to celebrate this significant enhancement to the City’s infrastructure. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, tour the facility and visit with City staff & partners who made this project possible.

Location: 1155 Industrial Road. Learn more about the project, by visiting: owatonna.gov/wwtfproject.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a date change from the originally scheduled ribbon cutting.

05/12/2026

A pre-blast notification has been received from Martin Marietta:

Blasting is scheduled at the Owatonna Quarry, 1478 NW 26th Street, on Tuesday, May 12 for some time between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

05/08/2026

The latest Public Works Update includes information on:

OPU Gas Project on 18th Street SE
Hayes Avenue (18th to Esther) Skim Coat
Cardinal Drive & Ivy Reconstruction
2026 Overlays

Work on the OPU Gas Project is expected to begin Tuesday, May 12. OPU’s contractor, Q3, will start near the 18th Street/Bixby Road Roundabout and move west toward Austin Road. Intermittent parking restrictions will occur in the parking lane, but traffic impacts should remain minimal. Please slow d...

05/06/2026

Concrete work for the 2025 18th Street Trail Project is underway along 18th Street from 2nd Avenue SW to Elm.

Please slow down, use caution in the area, and stay out of all barricaded zones along the trail until the control measures are removed.

Work is expected to be completed this week.

Thank you for your patience!

05/01/2026

The construction of the 18th Street Trail from Linn Avenue to Austin Road brings a change to nearby parking. Because of traffic volume and spacing requirements, traditional angled parking can no longer be used near the 18th St SE/Austin Rd intersection. The State of Minnesota has approved 60 degree back in angled parking in this area instead.

Back in parking can seem difficult at first, but it offers real safety benefits: you can load and unload items right next to the trail, and you’ll have better visibility when pulling out since you’re facing forward.

How to back in park:

• Signal that you’re parking.
• Pull just past your chosen space.
• Slowly back in at an angle until you reach the curb.

Thanks for your patience as everyone gets used to the updated parking layout!

04/22/2026

The City of Owatonna will be hosting its annual Arbor Day Event on April 24 at noon at Mineral Springs Park. City Staff and Citizens are invited to attend. The ceremony will begin at Mineral Springs Park, and then staff and attendees will go to Jaycee Park, followed by Morehouse Park. Click the link below to see the exact meeting locations for each tree.

The following 2025 retirees will be recognized:

Kris Busse, Administration – Tree Planting Location: Mineral Springs Park

Jason Karsten, Fire Department – Tree Planting Location: Jaycee Park

Mark Kath, Parks & Recreation – Tree Planting Location: Morehouse Park

https://owatonna.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1431