Why are streets dug up so often during reconstruction?

Digging is necessary to meet the different requirements for each utility. Furthermore, health department regulations specify a minimum distance between the utilities to prevent cross-contamination if a leak occurs. The sanitary sewer must be deep enough to pick up the sewage coming out of the pipes under the basement floors, while the water main and services need to be a minimum of 7.5 feet deep to keep them from freezing. Storm sewer, however, is kept as shallow as possible so it does not conflict with other utilities. Finally, when utility work is complete, streets are excavated to remove bad soils and install sand and the pavement section.

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1. What are public improvements?
2. What are special assessments?
3. What are the procedures for paying for public improvements under Minnesota State Law?
4. How are public improvements paid for in Lino Lakes?
5. What is the difference between road maintenance and road reconstruction?
6. Why can’t the City just maintain roads so they don’t need to be reconstructed?
7. What do those stakes mean?
8. Does the paint mark on my driveway indicate where the new street will be?
9. I'm worried about my trees and shrubs near the excavation area. Is there anything I can do?
10. It’s not raining. Why isn’t the contractor working?
11. Why are streets dug up so often during reconstruction?
12. What happens when schedules change on short notice?