Hutchinson is divided into two sections by the Crow River. But during the 2006 and 2007 construction seasons, also known to Minnesotans as summer, the town was divided by an even more effective barrier — a torn up State Highway 7.

In 2006, Highway 7 between Fifth Avenue Northeast and Montana Street, was impassable due to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s $28.7-million conversion of what had been a two-lane highway to a four-lane one with a center left-turn lane. At the same time, the Main Street bridge was replaced and State Highway 15 between Second and Fifth avenues north was rebuilt.

In 2007, work shifted west between Montana Street and Shady Ridge Road. Getting from the south side of Hutchinson to the north side, or vice versa, meant keeping track of shifting detours and navigating the few passable routes often stuffed with traffic. Businesses suffered, but survived due to efforts to keep at least partial access to them open.

About 15 homes and five businesses were removed during the project. That, and the loss of many mature trees, has opened up vistas along the route. Today, Highway 7 has the feel of a 40 mph freeway. It makes moving from one end of the growing city to the other a breeze. The city also is developing standards for future development along the now prime route.

Taking place in conjunction with the 2007 portion of the project was the city’s installation of a $1.56-million pedestrian underpass beneath Highway 7 near the McLeod County Museum. It will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

At the end of 2007, a city-hired contractor replaced the Crow River dam near the Main Street bridge with a new $1.2-million natural rock ladder dam.

In 2008, crews will return along Highway 7 to finish the landscaping, including the planting of dozens of trees. Others, including city workers, will restore two small parks, Girl Scout and Eheim, damaged in the process of replacing the dam.

Another major project that will disrupt traffic heading north for about three months this summer is the construction of a roundabout at the State Highway 15/North High Drive intersection. A detour will use McLeod County Road 12, which parallels Highway 15 about two miles to the west.