Road Report: April 1, 2024

Construction season is here, so we’re back with our weekly look at what projects are done, where you’ll find traffic impacts and what’s scheduled next.

What’s underway

Tallgrass Avenue: Work resumed March 12 on Tallgrass Avenue between 74th and 89th streets. The rough grading and underground utility work, which consisted of the installation of water main, sanitary sewer and storm drainage infrastructure, was completed in 2023.

The nice weather in the first half of March this year allowed the contractor to get a jump-start on finalizing the project this year. Work currently is focused on the intersection of 85th and Tallgrass and on Tallgrass between 85th and 89th streets.

Final grading has occurred, and installation of an under-drain system, geo-textile fabric and gravel is in progress.

After this work is complete, paving will occur.

The segment between 85th and 89th streets is expected to reopen to traffic by mid-June.

The contractor will be working concurrently on final grading, gravel and paving on Tallgrass Avenue from 74th to 85th streets, with this segment expected to be complete later this fall.

Sixth Street bridge: Work continues to progress on the Sixth Street bridge project downtown. Work on the bridge barriers, planters, approaches, railing and piers is wrapping up, while work under the bridge near the greenway trail is still underway.

The final aesthetic elements on the bridge will be finished later this spring. Construction is moving east of the bridge where the street and curb paving is underway.

The greenway bike trail will remain closed until late spring. Sixth Street remains closed from LSS/Cherapa Place to Weber Avenue for completion of the rail crossing, utility and street work. The project will be complete later this year.

What’s next

Minnesota & Sixth: Beginning today, the outside southbound lane of Minnesota Avenue will be closed at Sixth Street to allow construction crews to perform a property razing. Southbound traffic will be maintained in the inside driving lane. Northbound traffic will not be impacted. This work is expected to be complete in about one week.

I-90 at Brandon: Beginning today, two-way traffic will begin on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 between mile markers 405 and 407 as part of the Exit 406 reconstruction project in Brandon. The speed limit will be reduced to 65 mph, and a 12-foot width restriction will be in place. On Tuesday, traffic on Highway 11, starting at Redwood Boulevard north to I-90 will be reduced to two-way traffic. Access to local businesses will be maintained during grading and paving operations. This reconstruction project will replace the existing interchange with a diverging diamond interchange. The on- and off-ramps at Exit 406 will remain open for this construction season, however motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. This work is expected to be complete in the spring of 2026.

Glenview Park trail: Beginning Tuesday, construction will begin on improvements to the trail in Glenview Park near 57th Street and Cliff Avenue The existing asphalt trail will be replaced with a concrete trail between 57th  Street and the bridge near the south end of the park.

Areas of the park not impacted by construction will remain open. Visitors are urged to use caution and avoid areas of the park under construction. This work is expected to be complete in mid-May.

33rd Street: Beginning Tuesday, crews will be working on saw-cutting curb and gutter on 33rd Street between Cliff and Blauvelt avenues. Concrete removal will start April 8. Traffic will be maintained throughout the project. This work is expected to be complete by the end of April

I-90 near Hartford & Humboldt: Beginning Thursday, reconstruction work will begin on Interstate 90 between Hartford and Humboldt. During construction, two-way traffic with 12-foot width restrictions will be in place, and the speed limit will be reduced to 65 mph. This project will include removal and replacement of the concrete pavement on I-90 eastbound lanes and replacement of the bridge at Exit 379 to Humboldt. This work is expected to be complete in November.

Minnesota & Veterans: Beginning April 8, traffic on Minnesota Avenue south of 85th Street will be transitioned to the east half of Minnesota to start the construction of the Veterans Parkway intersection with Minnesota. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained during construction. Work within the Minnesota Avenue intersection is expected to be complete in about two months.