The first phase of a nearly $20 million storm sewer replacement project in southwest Minot has begun in the Dakota Square area, according to the City of Minot.

The Puppy Dog Coulee project will replace nearly 1,600 feet of failing storm sewers with new box culverts to the west, north and east of Dakota Square Mall. The existing metal culverts were installed during the mall’s construction in 1980, the city reported.

The first two phases entail installation of new culverts near the intersection of 10th Street and 24th Avenue Southwest. The roadway will remain open to vehicles as one side is completed at a time.

Phase 3 will install new box culverts on 22nd Avenue Southwest. A portion of the street will be closed during this phase.

Phases 4-9 will install new box culverts and other infrastructure on portions of 16th Street Southwest, 24th Avenue Southwest and Dakota Square Road. Traffic access will be maintained on 16th Street when work is done on that phase, but a portion of Dakota Square Road will be closed during several phases.

The project has a substantial completion date of July 31, 2026, with final completion by Oct. 2, 2026. The Puppy Dog Coulee drainage basin includes 9,500 acres. The culverts convey stormwater from west of Minot, under 16th Street Southwest, through the area of the mall and to the U.S. Highway 2 & 52 ditch.