Blasting will occur over next two weeks 

SALUDA—City of Saluda residents in the Chestnut Street and U.S. 176 area should be aware that blasting will be ongoing over the next two weeks.  

As part of the city’s water and sewer capital improvement plan, work has begun and contractors hit significant bedrock this week.  

A specialized blasting company will be brought in and begin blasting over the next two week, with work expected to be complete before June 21, according to Saluda City Manager Jonathan Cannon.  

The blasting company will remove rock from the sewer line trench using blasting charges, which city officials say should have no impact on surrounding properties.  

“Most individuals in the city will not even now when the charges are set off,” Cannon said. “Those near the charges may hear the charge detonation, excavators and dump trucks hauling the material away.”  

The city issued a statement regarding the needed blasting on Thursday with links for more information. Anyone interested in details of blasting can visit https://pdhonline.com/courses/c262/Rock_Blasting_Fundamentals_Course_Review_Notes.pdf and  

https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2015/other/150681/PFEISref_1/Dyno%20Nobel%202010.pdf.  

The City of Saluda began major repairs to its water and sewer system on April 29 this year. Repairs are scheduled to continue throughout the city until the end of the year.  

Streets to see impacts will include Chestnut Street, Hart Street, Florida Avenue, Ozone Drive and Poplar Street.  

Saluda has spent a couple of years of getting approval for a United States Department of Agriculture loan for the projects. The city was approved for $1.9 million loan and has increased water and sewer rates in order to pay back the loan to complete a list of needed infrastructure projects. Last year, the construction bids came in too high and the city had to borrow more money and delete a project from the scope.