Dive Summary:

• Despite opposition from a local group, a major project to upgrade utility lines beneath Spring Grove, Minnesota has been unanimously approved by the Spring Grove City Council.
• Engineers are surprised the lines have lasted as long as they have, and feel that action must be taken quickly to avoid breakage.
• The Minnesota Department of Transportation will pay $1.5 million of the $4.2 million project, leaving $2.7 million that will need to be paid at least in part by Spring Grove's 1,300 residents.

From the article:

If the council had rejected the plan, MnDOT would still have gone ahead with awarding bids March 22 for the project, but without Spring Grove's part in it, said Kristine Hernandez, a spokeswoman for MnDOT.

If the city had dropped out, it would have lost the $1.5 million. If it wanted to do the project later, it would have had to reapply. It could be several years before it could get that assistance, she said. ...