Contacts

• Chris Joyce
  651-366-4265

 

Location

Minnesota Department of Transportation
Office of Communications
395 John Ireland Blvd.
Mail Stop 150
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899

 

	News Release Search
	Search Statewide News

News Archives 2011 Archives 2010 Archives 2009 Archives 2008 Archives 2007 Archives 2006 Archives 2005 Archives 2004 Archives 2003 Archives

 

 

 

Completion of several high-profile projects highlights end to 2010 construction season

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Interstate 494 Wakota Bridge in South St. Paul, I-35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons in Minneapolis and I-35 Mega Project in Duluth lead a list of more than 200 Minnesota Department of Transportation highway and bridge projects in 2010.

 

“We appreciate motorists’ patience throughout this construction season as we worked to improve the safety of Minnesota’s roads and bridges,” said Tom Sorel, Mn/DOT Commissioner. “Our crews were out resurfacing roads, replacing bridges, improving drainage systems, repairing guard rail, installing cable barriers, among other transportation projects vital to improving the quality of life for all Minnesotans.”

 

Of this year’s 235 state highway and bridge projects, 152 have been completed as of Oct. 20. The remaining 83 projects will either be completed by the end of 2010 or carry-on into the next few years.

 

Mn/DOT has been able to add several more projects because of continued savings from bids that have come in lower than originally programmed, Sorel said. 

 

Completed and progressing projects in the Twin Cities

• Work is complete on the I-494 Wakota Bridge project in the southeast Twin Cities Metro Area. (construction cost: $300 million)
• Work is nearing completion on the I-35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons project in Minneapolis and Richfield. The majority of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. (construction cost: $288 million)
• Work is progressing on the Highway 169 Triangle project in Brooklyn Park and Osseo. The project is scheduled for completion in July 2011. (construction cost: $53 million)
• Work is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of October on the Highway 101/I-94 Fish Lake Interchange project in Rogers. (construction cost: $22 million)
• Work will be completed by the end of October on the Highway 61 resurfacing project in Cottage Grove. (construction cost: $16 million)

 

Projects in northern and central Minnesota include:

• Work is more than halfway completed on the I-35 reconstruction project in Duluth. The three-year project is scheduled for completion in 2012. (construction cost: $69 million)
• Work is complete on the Minnesota Highway 11/North Dakota Highway 66 bridge over the Red River between Robbin, Minn., and Drayton, N.D. The joint-state project, which began in 2008, will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 22. (construction cost: $32 million—$16 million from each state)
• Work is complete on the Highway 55 reconstruction project between Glenwood and the Grant/Douglas county line. Work included resurfacing the road and replacing a bridge and culvert. (construction cost: $8.1 million)
• Work will be completed by mid-November on the Highway 95 roundabout project in Princeton. In spring 2011, crews will return to complete landscaping and permanent road markings. (construction cost: $5.9 million—Mn/DOT share $2.7 million)
• Work is complete on the Highway 10 bridge over the Mississippi River north of Little Falls. Emergency repairs were needed due to flood damage last spring. (construction cost: $1.5 million)

 

Projects in southern Minnesota include

• Work is progressing on the multi-year reconstruction of Highway 14 between Waseca and Owatonna, which includes a new interchange at I-35 and Highway 14. Construction is ongoing and is scheduled for completion in June 2012. (construction cost: $51.8 million)
• Work is well underway on the three-year Highway 23 bypass project in Paynesville. Construction began last spring and is scheduled for completion in August 2012. (construction cost: $32.2 million)
• Work is progressing on the Highway 60 four-lane expansion project between Worthington and Bigelow. The three-phase project began this summer and is scheduled for completion in 2013. (construction cost: $17.8 million)
• Work will be completed by the end of October on four I-90 bridges in Mower County. The project, known as the “Bridges of Mower County,” features the construction of one bridge over Dobbins Creek, eastbound and westbound bridges over Turtle Creek and one bridge at the I-90 Business Loop. (construction cost: $13.6 million)
• Work is complete on the Highway 23 resurfacing project from Russell to Marshall. Work on the 12-mile stretch of Highway 23 began in early May. (construction cost: $16.7 million)

Safety
Of the 235 state highway and bridge projects throughout the state, 27 were safety-oriented projects, which included the addition of several more miles of cable median barrier and centerline and shoulder rumble stripes. Other safety-oriented projects include the installation of new lighting and turn lanes.

 

Transit
Mn/DOT provided $41 million in federal and state operating and capital grants to 62 transit systems statewide. Other federal grants totaling $5 million are funding the construction or remodeling of four Greater Minnesota bus facilities and two technology implementation programs.  Mn/DOT also completed approximately $15 million in vehicle and pedestrian circulation improvements in the ABC Ramps in downtown Minneapolis.

 

Aeronautics
More than 200 airport projects began statewide in 2010, including those involving general maintenance, new terminal construction, runway resurfacing, fuel system upgrades, navigational aid improvement and new airport maintenance equipment. More than $35.6 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 2010 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.

 

 

###