Extra time and detours have been a challenge for students commuting to campus around construction on Cleveland and Marshall avenues.

Aaron Hass, St. Paul Public Works Sewer Utility civil engineer, said the city is reconstructing the sewer lining because of cracks in the pipe crown and missing grout and bricks. Because the sewer was built between 1889 and 1890, the construction is necessary.

“We’re basically lining a 120-year-old brick sanitary sewer,” Hass said.

Hass said the sewer rehabilitation is happening “to continue the serviceability of the pipe and avoid the risk of a sewer collapse.”

Sophomore Julia Borstelmann, who works at Izzy’s Ice Cream located on Marshall Avenue, said the construction hasn’t affected business.

“Not that we’ve noticed. Especially because spring is where business is picking up, so we’ve definitely been busy later,” Borstelmann said.

The construction started Feb. 27 and will continue to April 12, Hass said.

Borstelmann said the City of St. Paul contacted local businesses and homeowners in advance to explain the process.

“The city was very good about contacting all of the business owners and homeowners that are on the street … the owners went to a meeting with the city to learn what was going to happen,” Borstelmann said.

Hass said there are certain implications to the construction such as noise from generators and boilers, detours and street closures. In addition, Hass said some residents will lose sewer service, including running water, for up to four days.

Sophomore Bekah Dake lives on Marshall Avenue and is concerned about whether she will lose sewer service.

“I’m not aware if I am losing my water service, which honestly kind of scares me,” Dake said.

Sophomore Brian Peterson said he has noticed some of the implications.

“(The construction) sucks a crap ton,” Peterson said. “I come from the bridge from Lake Street, and it (the construction) backs it up a little bit.”

Dake agreed that the construction makes it challenging to get to campus.

“I have been able to take a different route so that has made it easier,” Dake said. “I understand that road construction has to be done regularly in Minnesota, so I suppose I would complain either way.”

Izzy’s told Borstelmann and her coworkers that the construction is for the best.

“Izzy’s told us when customers ask, what we’re supposed to say is that we’re happy that they’re doing it because apparently, it’s super dangerous if the infrastructure of the whole street will be destroyed if they don’t fix it,” Borstelmann said. “I guess it’s a good thing.”

Stephanie Dodd can be reached at dodd0474@stthomas.edu.