Projects
Upcoming Projects
PENN AVE (CSAH 35) RECONSTRUCTION – 75TH ST TO HWY 62
Hennepin County is planning a full reconstruction of Penn Avenue from 75th Street to Highway 62 beginning in 2028. This project will include a full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, including underground public utilities. The roadway design will be selected using Richfield’s Public Engagement Process and guiding documents, all of which can be found under “The Big Picture”
Public Engagement is expected to begin in summer of 2025. More information, including the first open house dates and locations, will be available this summer.
Questions: Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov
I-494 PHASE 2
MnDOT is currently planning Phase 2 of the I-494 “Airport to Hwy 169” expansion project.
Phase 1 includes the current work at the I-494/I-35W interchange, as well as the E-ZPass lanes from Hwy 100 to I-35W, and the interchange consolidation of the interchanges at Nicollet Ave and 12th Ave to Portland.
Phase 2 will extend the E-Z Pass lanes from Hwy 169 to Hwy 77 and also include work to replace the Pleasant Ave railroad bridge. More information about the full vision for the I-494 corridor is available on MnDOT’s website.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027. MnDOT is anticipating seeking municipal consent from the city in 2025.
Questions: Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov
Past Projects
NICOLLET AVE (CSAH 52) RECONSTRUCTION – 77TH ST TO 66TH ST
PURPOSE
The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project aims to:
- Replace deteriorating pavement surfaces and walks
- Enhance mobility and connections to planned and existing regional multi-modal routes and destinations
- Implement a dedicated bikeway
- Improve existing public utilities
- Improve intersection traffic control
- Implement traffic calming and safety measures
- Improve transit stops for current and future transit routes
- Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character
PROJECT FLYERS (PDF)
PROJECT GOALS
The project goals for the Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction are adapted from the City’s Pedestrian Master Plan, Safe Routes to School Comprehensive Plan and the Richfield 2040 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter along with the following City of Richfield’s Guiding Principles:
ANTICIPATED PROJECT TIMELINE
- Mid 2023 through 2024: Public Engagement and Preliminary Design
- Open House #1: August 22nd, 2023
- Open House #2: October 17th, 2023
- Open House #3: February 29th, 2024
- Open House #4: July 10th, 2024
- City Council Recommendation: October 8th, 2024 – View the Nicollet Avenue final design (PDF)
- 2024-2025: Final Design
- 2026-2027: Project Construction
OPEN HOUSE #1: TUESDAY, AUGUST 22ND, 2023
Open House #1 for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction was held at Augsburg Park Library (7100 Nicollet Ave) from 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Project staff were on hand gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current Nicollet Avenue corridor to identify focus areas for design improvements. If you were unable to attend in person, please share your input online at the Virtual Open House.
The Open House #1 Display Boards are available for view here.
OPEN HOUSE #2: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, 2023
Open House #2 for Nicollet Ave was held at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) from 4:30-6:30pm on Tuesday, October 17th. Project staff presented the problem statement created for the corridor to verify that the feedback heard in Open House #1 was adequately identified to set design goals for the project. Different options for lane configuration, bike/ped facilities, and other intersection treatments were presented for public feedback to help the design team identify tools to address problem areas on the corridor.
The Open House #2 Display Boards and Roll Plot are available online.
OPEN HOUSE #3: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29TH, 2024
Open House #3 for Nicollet Ave was held at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) from 4:30-6:30pm on Thursday, February 29th. Project staff presented three layout options for bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the corridor, as well as multiple design concepts for intersections along the corridor. If you were unable to attend, the display boards and bike/sidewalk options are available online.
OPEN HOUSE #4: WEDNESDAY, JULY 10TH, 2024
Open House #4 was held on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Avenue) from 4:30pm-6:30pm.If you were unable to attend, the display boards and initial concept for the corridor are available online.
VIEW THE FINAL DESIGN
Over the course of our engagement process, you shared what you would like to see a reconstructed Nicollet Avenue look like. With the help of your feedback, we selected an initial concept that was approved by the Richfield City Council as the final design. View the Nicollet Avenue final design (PDF)
CONTACT
Matt Huggins
Hennepin County Project Manager
612-596-0326
Email
Matt Hardegger
City of Richfield Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792
Email
73RD STREET MULTIUSE TRAIL – BLOOMINGTON AVENUE TO CEDAR AVENUE (SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL)
PURPOSE
The 73rd Street trail project is a City-led project to construct a permanent multiuse trail facility on 73rd Street between Bloomington Avenue and Cedar Avenue outside of Centennial Elementary School. Project goals include:
- Construct a multiuse trail facility on one side of 73rd Street
- Enhance connections for the neighborhood to Centennial Elementary School and the Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail
- Improve pedestrian crossings at intersections
- Implement traffic calming and safety measures
- Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character
PROJECT POSTCARD (PDF)
PROJECT GOALS
The project goals for the 73rd Street Trail Project are adapted from the City’s Pedestrian Master Plan, Safe Routes to School Comprehensive Plan and the Richfield 2040 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter along with the following City of Richfield’s Guiding Principles:
ANTICIPATED PROJECT TIMELINE
- Summer 2023: Demonstration Project Installation
- Summer 2024: Public Engagement and Preliminary Design
- Open House #1: July 16th, 2024
- Open House #2: September 12th, 2024
- Fall/Winter 2024: Final Design and Project Bidding
- Spring/Summer 2025: Project Construction
PROJECT FUNDING
- This project is made possible by a Federal Safe Routes to School grant administered through the Metropolitan Council’s 2022 Regional Solicitation.
- Total Estimated Project Cost: $810,000
- Estimated Federal Portion (80%): $635,000
- Estimated City Portion (20%): $165,000
OPEN HOUSE #1: TUESDAY, JULY 16TH, 2024
Open House #1 for the 73rd Street trail project was held at Centennial Elementary School (7301 Bloomington Avenue) on Tuesday, July 16th, from 4:30pm-6:30pm. Project staff was on hand gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current 73rd Street configuration to identify focus areas for design improvements. Participants were asked for their preference on trail locations as well as tools to improve pedestrian safety. If you were unable to attend in person, please contact Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer (contact information below). View the display boards from the Open House here.
OPEN HOUSE #2: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2024
Open House #2 for the 73rd Street trail project was held at Centennial Elementary School (7301 Bloomington Avenue) on Thursday, September 12th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Project staff were on hand gathering input on a preferred concept for the roadway and trail. View the display boards from the Open House here.
CONTACT
Matt Hardegger
City of Richfield Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792
Email
70TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS – ELLIOT AVENUE TO 12TH AVENUE (SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL)
PURPOSE
As part of our Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, the City has received a grant to add safety and access improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists, along 70th Street between Elliot Avenue and 12th Avenue. This street is adjacent to Richfield Dual Language School and Richfield STEM Elementary School. The project will present concepts based on traffic data, public input, and lessons learned from the temporary improvements that were tested during 2023.
PROJECT ELEMENTS
- Off-street bike lane on the south side of 70th Street between Elliot Avenue and 12th Avenue.
- Crossing improvements at the intersections of Elliot Avenue, 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, and 12th Avenue.
PROJECT GOALS
- Increase multimodal accessibility to Richfield Dual Language School and Richfield STEM Elementary School.
- Improve visibility and access for students crossing 70th Street.
- Create calmer streets and manage traffic speeds along 70th Street.
The project goals for the 70th Street project are adapted from the City’s Pedestrian Master Plan, Safe Routes to School Comprehensive Plan and the Richfield 2040 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter along with the following City of Richfield’s Guiding Principles:
ANTICIPATED PROJECT TIMELINE
PROJECT FUNDING
- This project is made possible by a State Safe Routes to School grant administered through MnDOT’s 2024 Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Solicitation. The State grant is expected to cover the entire construction cost.
- Total Estimated Project Cost: $586,225
Open House #1 was held on August 21st at the STEM Elementary School. Project staff were on hand to answer questions about what changes are coming to 70th Street in 2025. If you weren’t able to attend, please contact Matt Hardegger with any questions. Display boards are available to view online.
Join us on October 23 at the STEM Elementary School from 4:30-6:30pm to learn more about this upcoming project. A design concept that was updated based on previous public input and best practices will be presented at the event. Project staff will be on hand to answer questions about the design. If you aren’t able to attend, an online survey is available or you can contact Matt Hardegger with any questions.
CONTACT
Matt Hardegger
City of Richfield Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792
Email