Crews will begin relocating utilities in downtown St. Paul today and continue through fall in anticipation of planned Central Corridor light-rail line construction next year.
Moving the utilities now will make laying the tracks a lot easier when the time comes, and officials say it will save money by avoiding inflationary costs.
Drivers and pedestrians will see some restrictions or closures during the work, mostly along 4th Street between Minnesota and Jackson streets.
Xcel Energy, which is covering its cost independently of the Central Corridor project, will be the first to rip up the streets and move its lines.
The other utilities -- water, sewer, District Energy and others -- are likely to be moved starting in late August, after some federal approvals are given. That work is expected to cost about $25 million, provided by:
• The County Transit Improvement Board ($15 million), the five-county board formed in 2008 that receives a portion of sales tax to fund transit projects.
• The state of Minnesota ($5 million).
• The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority ($3.5 million).