On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) outlined the summer construction season.
According to MNDOT, there are 200 construction projects that aim to improve roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure.
One of the biggest projects is work on Interstate 494, which has been ongoing. It is entering year two of a four-year timeline. Projects are also set for Interstate 94, Highway 36, and Interstate 35.
Some of the projects include:
- Highway 5/Highway 36: The plans are to resurface from Mendota Street in St. Paul to north junction of Highway 120 in Maplewood, repair or replace drainage, and make safety accessibility improvements.
- Highway 52: Resurface Concrete from County Route 86 in Hampton Township to County Route 42 in Rosemount, repair bridges, update drainage, and install cable median barrier.
- Stone Arch Bridge: Repoint mortar on entire Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, and repair or replace stone.
MNDOT gave an update on the Hinckley Bridge replacement project.
The two-year project will include two bridge replacements, one bridge rehabilitation, and pavement resurfacing.
Andrew Dostal, project supervisor with MNDOT, explained the three stages of the project.
Stage 1 will take place from May to August 2024. The goal is to close the northbound lane from the beginning to the end of the project. Take out the northbound river bridge and northbound railroad bridge. Replace the pavement on the south end of that. The agreement is 15 working days from the day the ramp is closed until it is reopened (taking rain days and holidays into consideration). Once the northbound Grindstone River bridge is done, the project moves to stage 2.
Stage 2 will take place from August to October 2024. The north end of the project will still be closed northbound, but will switch traffic and start working on the south end, southbound. Will tear out the southbound Grindstone River bridge, build that back (approximately August through October). A contract requirement is that no ramp closures can happen prior to the July 4 weekend.
Stage 3 will take place from May to September 2025. Traffic will be back for the winter, northbound/southbound, and starting 2025 will be working on the short stretch on the north end for the southbound. That will be tearing Railroad Bridge out and building new, and some pavement on either end. Construction end date goal is September 2025.
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Source: Fox9, Pine County News
