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St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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Completion of Granite City Crossing highlights end to 2009 construction season
Projects emphasize safety, mobility and innovation
The new Granite City Crossing, which carries Highway 23 over the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, tops a list of more than 300 Minnesota Department of Transportation highway and bridge projects in 2009.
"This road construction season has been one of the busiest in recent memory," said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel. "We’ve completed several high-profile projects across the state, like the new Granite City Crossing, and made progress on massive multi-year undertakings, like the Interstate 35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons project.
“With the completion of these projects, motorists will see less congestion and experience a safer, more efficient commute,” Sorel said. “Mn/DOT’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system with better mobility and to use innovative methods. These projects help move us in that direction.”
Completed and progressing projects in the Twin Cities
- Work is complete on the Larpenteur Avenue bridge replacement project at Highway 280 in Lauderdale.(construction cost: $13 million)
- Work on the innovative congestion-relieving Urban Partnership Agreement projects on I-35W south of Minneapolis is well underway. On Sept. 30, Mn/DOT opened the new MnPASS Express Lanes between Burnsville Parkway and downtown Minneapolis, which aim to reduce congestion by allowing transit vehicles, car pools and MnPASS account holders to travel on a converted shoulder lane during certain times when traffic is congested. All UPA transit-related projects are scheduled to be completed by late fall 2010. (construction cost: $60 million)
- Work continues on the immense I-35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons project in Minneapolis and Richfield. Crews have completed construction on the 46th Street bridge and ramps, Lyndale Avenue ramps and 80 percent of the sound walls. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2010. When work is completed, drivers will experience reduced congestion and improved safety on one of the busiest roadways in the state. (construction cost: $288 million)
- Work continues to improve safety and reduce congestion with the Highway 169 “Triangle” interchange at County Road 81 and 85th Avenue in Brooklyn Park and Osseo. The entire project is scheduled for completion in fall 2011. (construction cost: $49 million)
- Work on a new Highway 7 interchange at Wooddale Avenue in St. Louis Park is progressing. The interchange is expected to be operational by fall 2010. The entire project, including landscaping and other miscellaneous tasks, is scheduled for completion in spring 2011. (construction cost: $17 million)
Projects in northern and central Minnesota
- Work is complete on the Highway 23 Granite City Crossing project in St. Cloud. The new four-lane span over the Mississippi River opened to traffic on Oct. 29. (construction cost: $19.2 million)
- Work is complete on the resurfacing of Highway 1 between Warren and Thief River Falls. (construction cost: $8.6 million)
- Work is complete on a reinforcement project on a portion of Highway 169 near Chisholm where abandoned underground mines weakened the roadbed. (construction cost: $7.7 million)
- Work is complete on the resurfacing of Highway 10 between Wadena and Motley. (construction cost: $6.8 million)
- Work continues on the reconstruction of Highway 61 north of Tofte, which will improve safety on that stretch of scenic roadway along Lake Superior. The project is scheduled to be completed in fall 2010. (construction cost: $12.2 million)
Projects in southern Minnesota
- Work is nearing completion on Highway 169 through downtown St. Peter, which opened to traffic Nov. 16. Additional sidewalk and landscaping work will continue in spring 2010. The reconstruction was a design-build project, which is a contracting process that brings designers and contractors together early in the detail design phase of a project. (construction cost: $17 million)
- Work is complete on the resurfacing of I-35 in Rice County. The project included the installation of four miles of cable median guardrail. There are now approximately 34 miles of cable median guardrail on I-35 in southern Minnesota. (construction cost: $8.2 million)
- Work is complete on the resurfacing of Highway 7 from Montevideo to Clara City. (construction cost: $9.3 million)
- Work continues on the realignment and expansion of Highway 14 from Waseca to Owatonna, which includes the construction of a new I-35/Highway 14 interchange. All components of the realignment project are expected to be completed by summer 2012. This project will improve safety and mobility on this heavily traveled roadway. (construction cost: $51.8 million)
- Work on the replacement of four bridges on I-90 in Mower County is progressing. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2010. (construction cost: $12.8 million)
Of the 172 Greater Minnesota projects, 63 were funded with federal stimulus dollars and were previously announced by Governor Pawlenty and Commissioner Sorel in February.
Safety
Mn/DOT also completed several more safety-oriented projects around the state this season, which included the addition of 148 new miles of cable median barrier, bringing the total statewide to 287 miles. In addition to cable median barrier, more than 500 miles of centerline and shoulder rumble stripes were installed on greater Minnesota highways this year.
"Improving and maintaining a safe, reliable and modern transportation system is our top priority," Sorel said. "The addition of more cable median barriers and rumble stripes are safety enhancements that can lead to reduced transportation-related fatalities and injuries."
Transit
Besides work on state highway and bridge projects, Mn/DOT delivered $45 million in federal and state grants to 64 transit systems statewide. Among other benefits, these funds enabled 33 transit systems to purchase replacement buses and three systems to advance bus garage projects, and enabled construction to begin for improving vehicle and pedestrian circulation in the ABC Ramps in downtown Minneapolis.
Aeronautics
Mn/DOT had 12 projects shovel-ready for improving airport facilities and equipment statewide. Minnesota received a total of $20.9 million in federal economic stimulus grants via the Federal Aviation Administration for these projects.
In addition, 190 airport projects began statewide in 2009, including those involving general maintenance, new terminal construction, runway resurfacing, fuel system upgrades, navigational aid improvement and new airport maintenance equipment began. More than $65.5 million in federal funds and $9.1 million state funds were dedicated to these projects.
For a list of recently completed projects, and those still underway, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/current.html.
Although the majority of 2009 construction work is coming to an end, work on several projects throughout the state will continue through the winter as weather permits.
"We ask motorists to continue to pay extra attention and follow posted speed limits when traveling through work zones," Sorel said. "Your destination is our priority, and we need your help to ensure that you get there safely."
For statewide travel information visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov. You can also find the Minnesota Department of Transportation on Facebook.
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