If you have any questions related to projects not listed below, please call Public Works at 612-861-9170, or email pwoperations@richfieldmn.gov

City Projects

70th Street Safe Routes to School Project

Crews will be constructing a bicycle and pedestrian safety project along 70th Street between Elliot Ave and 12th Ave at the R-STEM and RDLS elementary schools this summer! Work is expected to begin in June–after the end of the school year–and conclude around Labor Day.

Expected traffic impacts: Thru traffic on 70th Street will likely be detoured during construction. Access will be maintained to all residences with driveways in the project area.

Questions: Jake Whipple, Civil Engineer – 612-861-9349, jwhipple@richfieldmn.gov

73rd Street Safe Routes to School Project

Crews will be constructing a shared-use path, raised crosswalks, and bumpouts on 73rd Street between Bloomington Ave and Cedar Ave at Centennial Elementary this summer! Work is expected to begin in June–after the end of the school year–and conclude around Labor Day.

Expected traffic impacts: Thru traffic on 73rd Street will likely be detoured during construction. Access will be maintained to all residences with driveways in the project area.

Questions: Jake Whipple, Civil Engineer – 612-861-9349, jwhipple@richfieldmn.gov

Annual Maintenance Projects

Spot Concrete Replacement

Each year, the city does a citywide project to address concrete problem areas, with primary focus of rebuilding sidewalk panels and pedestrian ramps to ensure ADA compliance. This is happening in a variety of locations of the City, with an emphasis on high-traffic areas and school zones. Work for 2025 is expected to begin in May and conclude in July. Expected concrete work locations are shown on this map, but are subject to change.

During construction, pedestrian detours may be required and parking may be restricted temporarily in the work area. A typical panel or pedestrian ramp should take no longer than 1 week from removal to pouring concrete, with an additional 2-5 days of cure time depending on the area or concrete thickness.

Questions: Jake Whipple, Civil Engineer – 612-861-9349, jwhipple@richfieldmn.gov 

Pavement Management Program

In 2025, the city will be performing two pavement maintenance projects to prolong the life of our asphalt streets.

Pavement Rejuvenation: This process involves spraying a petroleum maltene-based rejuvenation agent, which helps to reinforce the binder within the asphalt that bonds the asphalt and aggregate together. This process is relatively quick, with the asphalt being spray with the rejuvenator, dusted in a limestone aggregate to soak up access product, and a sweep to collect that aggregate all within 24-36 hours’ time. Parking will be prohibited on streets while the rejuvenation process is occurring.

Approximately 1/3 of the city’s streets will be rejuvenated in 2025, locations are shown on this map. Work is expected to occur in July and August.

Crack-Sealing: Cracks that have formed within the roadway are routed, cleaned out, and then filled with a rubber sealant. Paper is then rolled over the sealant to let the sealant set, and to avoid the sealant from getting stuck to people’s shoes or car tires. Depending on temperatures, this process is quick, with the work occurring only for about 20-45 minutes per block, plus an additional 40 minutes for the sealant to set. Parking will be prohibited on streets while crack sealing is occurring.

Approximately 1/3 of the city’s streets will be crack-sealed in 2025. Locations are still to be determined. Work is expected to occur in late summer/early fall.

Questions: Olivia Wycklendt, Project Engineer – 612-861-9789, owycklendt@richfieldmn.gov

MnDOT Projects

I-494: Edina to Richfield

MnDOT is currently reconstructing I-494 from Edina to Richfield (East Bush Lake Road to 12th Avenue) to add E-ZPass lanes, reconfigure the I-35W/I-494 interchange, and reconstruct several bridges between I-35W and Highway 77. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to continue through 2026. More information can be found at MnDOT’s project website.

2025 impacts to local streets will include lane closures on 77th Street, 12th Avenue, and 78th Streets. A full closure of the Portland Avenue bridge over I-494 is expected for up to 6 months. The Chicago Avenue pedestrian bridge is expected to open in late May or early June.

The best way to keep track of traffic impacts for the I-494 project is to sign up for email updates through MnDOT’s website.

Project Contacts:

MnDOT Project email: Info@i494Construction.com
MnDOT Project hotline: 651-583-6435

Questions about impacts to travel in Richfield: Matt Hardegger, Richfield Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov

Bloomington Ave S Bridge Repair @ Trunk Highway 62 (MnDOT)

The Bloomington Avenue South bridge over Highway 62 in Minneapolis closed March 13 for a three-month reconstruction project. This is not a Richfield project, despite its location next to a city park. MnDOT crews are replacing damaged bridge beams and decking. Pedestrian and non-motorized access will remain open via the Three Rivers Park District Trail.

For project details, visit MnDOT’s project website.

Questions about impacts to travel in Richfield: Matt Hardegger, Richfield Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov

Highway 62 Noise Wall – Xerxes Ave to Russell Ave

MnDOT is constructing a noise wall on the south side of Highway 62 from Xerxes Avenue to Russell Avenue. Construction begins on April 14th and is expected to last through August. During construction, the entrance ramp from Xerxes Avenue to eastbound Highway 62 and the exit ramp from eastbound Highway 62 to Penn Avenue will be closed. 62nd Street will be closed to thru traffic.

Residents in the area should expect to encounter increased traffic while motorists learn to navigate the closures. Detour routes are posted that use Xerxes Avenue, 66th Street, and Penn Avenue.

For the most up to date information, please visit the project page on the MnDOT website.

Questions: Matt Hardegger, Richfield Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov

Hennepin County Projects

Nicollet Ave Reconstruction (2026)

Construction will begin on Nicollet Ave from 77th Street to 66th Street in 2026. Some private utility relocations may begin as early as fall of 2025, as private utilities move their equipment out of the way of the construction project. You can view more information about the project at the Hennepin County project website.

Questions: Matt Huggins, P.E. – County Project Manager, matt.huggins@hennepin.us, 612-596-0326, or Matt Hardegger, Richfield Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov

Metro Transit Projects

Better Bus Stop Project

Metro Transit will be constructing concrete boarding pads at several locations along routes 515 and 540 this summer. The majority of the work will be on Bloomington Avenue between 66th and 77th Streets, and on 77th Street to the east of I-35W. Metro Transit will also be constructing bus shelters at the Route 7 stops on 66th Street between Richfield Parkway and Hwy 77. Schedule for this project has not yet been determined.

Matt Hardegger, Richfield Transportation Engineer, 612-861-9792, mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov

Other Projects

Fiberoptic Expansion

Starting this April, US Internet (USI) is continuing their fiber installation work throughout Richfield. Much of the work is anticipated to occur from highway 62 to 494, and between Penn Avenue to 13^th Avenue.

This work entails directional-boring in public right-of-way, and will require the installation of some handholes and potholes (daylighting existing utilities). All excavations will be appropriately restored, with greenspaces getting black dirt and hydroseed. Any hard surface potholes will be restored with an asphalt patch or full panel replacement if made in concrete.

This work is not in partnership with the City, and is a private endeavor of US Internet. The City is only responsible for the requirements of the right-of-way permits that USI applies for.

USI will be mailing and leaving flyers in neighborhoods they will be working in with at least a week’s notice. For what to expect regarding construction, please visit their website: https://usinternet.com/support/construction-zone/.

For any questions regarding the work or issues with the construction, please contact Olivia Wycklendt at 612-861-789 or at owycklendt@richfieldmn.gov.