65TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION – NICOLLET TO 66TH ST./RAE DR.
PURPOSE
To improve the pavement conditions, replace deteriorating sidewalks, and upgrade aging underground utilities while improving operational safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.
This project provides an opportunity to address a long-time flooding issue in the area of 65th Street and the HUB shopping center. Currently, this area is served by undersized storm infrastructure that is unable to adequately handle the more frequent, high intensity storms that have become more common. The design solution will apply a regional approach to alleviate the flooding commonly experienced along 65th Street, 66th Street, and the surrounding area.
ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION TIMLINE
The project is expected to take two years, beginning in June 2022.
CONSTRUCTION KICK-OFF OPEN HOUSE – MAY 26
OPEN HOUSE #5 (VIRTUAL/ONLINE) – JUNE 1 to JUNE 8, 2020
OPEN HOUSE #4 (VIRTUAL/ONLINE) – APRIL 20 to APRIL 27, 2020
In lieu of a traditional open house, project staff hosted a virtual open house with a dedicated website with the hope of generating comparable engagement among stakeholders. The virtual open house was hosted Monday, April 20 through Monday, April 27.
Ben Manibog
Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792 Email
I-494: MSP AIRPORT TO HWY 169 (MNDOT)
Project Background
MnDOT’s I-494: Airport to 169 Project is moving towards its first phase of implementation. The City Council considered the project and approved the preliminary final layout of the project as required by state law on February 22, 2022. Construction is expected to start in summer 2023.
MnDOT’s I-494: El proyecto Airport a 169 avanza hacia su primera fase de implementación. El Ayuntamiento consideró el proyecto y aprobó el diseño final preliminar del proyecto según lo exige la ley estatal el 22 de Febrero de 2022. Se espera que la construcción comience en el verano de 2023.
On October 13th, the City of Richfield and MnDOT held a series of public information meetings at the Richfield Municipal Center related to the future I-494: Airport to Highway 169 Project 1 implementation plan. The City Council held a Public Hearing on November 23rd in advance of considering project approval.
If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can learn more about the project at MnDOT’s 494 project website or view a video recap of the information presented below.
To Comment: If you have questions related to the project or would like to submit comments or feedback on the project, please send your comments to Richfield Transportation Engineer Ben Manibog at bmanibog@richfieldmn.gov or by calling 612-861-9792.
About this project:
I-494 is a heavily used interstate highway that joins with I-694 to create a loop around the Twin Cities Metro Area. The southwest stretch of the corridor provides direct access to major destinations such as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America, cross city access for commuters and freight, and local access for the numerous businesses and residents along the freeway. It is also one of the most heavily congested roads in the state.
To address congestion along the southwest portion of I-494, the State of Minnesota has been working with the cities along the corridor, the I-494 Corridor Coalition and the I-35W Solutions Alliance to develop a vision for how the freeway can increase capacity and better serve the growing multimodal needs of the community.
The “I-494: Airport to Hwy 169” project will develop and construct long term solutions that will:
Provide a transit advantage to increase the number of people who can be efficiently moved through the corridor
Improve the reliability of the average rush-hour trip
Improve safety
Restore pavement to preserve infrastructure and provide a smoother ride
Improve drainage systems to reduce localized flooding and reduce run-off into the Minnesota River
The 77th Street underpass will connect 77th Street east and west of Trunk Highway (TH) 77 (Cedar Avenue) to eliminate a gap in the minor reliever network. The project will connect Bloomington and Longfellow Avenues and address regional traffic issues on the I-494 corridor through Richfield and Bloomington.
4-lane road connecting 77th Street to the realigned Longfellow Avenue on the east side of TH 77.
Construct new bridge on TH 77 carrying TH 77 over 77th Street.
Reconstruct the southbound TH 77 to westbound I-494 ramp.
Reconstruct the westbound I-494 to northbound TH 77 ramp.
Construct a 6′ sidewalk along the south side of 77th Street.
Construct a 10′ multi-use regional trail along the north side of 77th Street, which links to Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail and the Intercity Regional Trail.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Provides Connections – Establishes a Regional, Multi-Modal Connection between the City of Richfield, the City of Bloomington, MSP International Airport, the Metro Transit South Garage, and the Mall of America.
Ease Congestion – Provides additional capacity to I-494 by removing local trips from the freeway.
Encourage Redevelopment – Promotes redevelopment along the south-eastern borders of Richfield that will provide a commercial “buffer” to protect neighborhoods from airport and highway impacts.
PROJECTED TIMELINE
Design Engineering – 2016-2020
Construction – July 2021 to October 2023 (expected).
