Contact Us
- Bre Magee
Metro Public Affairs
651-234-7502 - Scott Pederson
West Area Engineer
651-234-7726 - Michael Beer
Project Manager
952-826-6705
Overview
News:
Open house for proposed Hwy 169/I-494 project scheduled for Feb. 11 (Feb. 3, 2010)
Status:
- Future Proposed Project
Location:
- Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie
Description:
- Eliminating signals
- Intersection reconstruction
Hwy 169/I- 494 Interchange Reconstruction
Project Description:
Remove the three remaining traffic signals, connect the north and south frontage roads under Hwy 169, convert expressway to freeway with partial-directional interchange reconstruction and construction of noise barriers, drainage and water quality facilities.
Informational Video:
Click here for the video transcript.
Project History and Background:
Mn/DOT assumed jurisdictional responsibility for Highway 169 after Hennepin County reconstructed County Road 18 to expressway standards in the early 1990s (the signal at Highwood Drive was part of that project). In the mid 1990s Mn/DOT replaced the Hwy 169 bridges spanning I-494 and reconfigured the diamond interchange to a three-quarter cloverleaf while retaining the north and south ramp terminal signals that were necessary for system and local movements through the interchange.
In 2003, the interchange reconstruction project was identified to receive Bond Accelerated Funding to accelerate the project. During these years, the corridor south of I-494 was designated as a high priority interregional corridor. The project was developed for letting, but the bond funds for the project were used to make up for funding shortfalls on other critical projects.
Approximately $7.5 million in high priority project dollars have been assigned to the interchange project for right of way acquisitions, of which $6 million has been spent. Following layout approval and with no identified funding, the project was moved to the last year of the Mn/DOT Metro District ten-year construction program. The project was then redesigned following the department-wide Context Sensitive Solutions\Flexible Design initiative to balance competing objectives and optimize return on investments. Funding remains uncertain.
The design solution is based on performance. It rebuilds the interchange with six ramps instead of eight as a phased approach instead of constructing all eight at once which is the current federal policy for interstate highways. It removes stoplights, reduces congestion and improves safety. It meets more than 90 percent of the needs while saving approximately $30 to $40 million in construction cost that Mn/DOT could use on other projects in the area.