Project description
As a standard two-lane highway, Hwy 12 in Wayzata, Long Lake and Orono carried approximately 25,000 vehicles per day but did not perform well as a main street for the city of Long Lake. Plans had been underway for many years to rebuild the roadway south of the old alignment as a limited access freeway that now bypasses downtown Long Lake. The project was constructed in two stages as outlined below.
The first phase of the project began in summer 2003 and was substantially completed in fall 2006. This phase constructed the majority of the realigned Hwy 12 along with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The project removed an at-grade crossing of the railroad and the requirement for train whistles and horns. The old highway will continue to serve downtown Long Lake and west into Orono.
The second stage that began in July 2007, included two new interchanges at Hennepin County Road 6 (west end) and at Wayzata Blvd. (east end) that were completed in the fall of 2008. Traffic was moved on to the new highway after completion of the connections at County Road 6 and Wayzata Blvd. on December 11, 2008.
Benefits include:
- Long Lake has reclaimed its downtown by directing through traffic, especially the large trucks, to the bypass.
- Old Hwy 12/Wayzata Boulevard will become a Hennepin County roadway, within the next few years. Until that time, it will be maintained by Mn/DOT. The roadway was repaired and resurfaced this fall.
- Landscaping has been planted to beautify the entire corridor.
Background
The new alignment of Hwy 12 opened to traffic Dec. 11, 2009.
Benefits of the new roadway include
- Long Lake has reclaimed its downtown by directing through traffic, especially large trucks, to the new highway
- Through traffic no longer must stop at several at-grade intersections located in Long Lake and Orono
- The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks in the area were relocated, and an at-grade crossing of the railroad was removed
- New interchanges at Hennepin County Road 6 and at Wayzata Boulevard.
The old Hwy 12 will be turned over to Hennepin County and renamed Hennepin County 112 in the future.
News Releases
- Wayzata Boulevard (Old Hwy 12) in Orono remains closed through afternoon rush hour (Sept. 3, 2009)
- Emergency repairs require closure of Wayzata Boulevard (Old Hwy 12) in Orono (Sept. 2, 2009)
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Old Hwy 12/Wayzata Boulevard now open in Orono, Luce Line Trail bridge to reopen later tonight (June 5, 2009)
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Ramp from westbound Hwy 12 to Wayzata Blvd closed Tuesday, May 19 for curb installation in Orono, Long Lake (May 15, 2009)
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Placement of refurbished Luce Line Trail bridge planned this weekend in Long Lake (April 29, 2009)
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Month-long closure begins Tuesday, April 28, on old Hwy 12/Wayzata Blvd in Orono (April 22, 2009)