Mid 2023 through 2024: Public Engagement and Preliminary Design
Open House #1: August 22nd, 2023
Open House #2: October 17th, 2023
Open House #3: February 29th, 2024
Open House #4: July 10th, 2024
City Council Recommendation: October 8th, 2024
2024-2025: Final Design
2026-2027: Project Construction
OPEN HOUSE #1: TUESDAY, AUGUST 22ND, 2023
Open House #1 for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction was held at Augsburg Park Library (7100 Nicollet Ave) from 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Project staff were on hand gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current Nicollet Avenue corridor to identify focus areas for design improvements. If you were unable to attend in person, please share your input online at the Virtual Open House.
The Open House #1 Display Boards are available for view here.
OPEN HOUSE #2: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, 2023
Open House #2 for Nicollet Ave was held at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) from 4:30-6:30pm on Tuesday, October 17th. Project staff presented the problem statement created for the corridor to verify that the feedback heard in Open House #1 was adequately identified to set design goals for the project. Different options for lane configuration, bike/ped facilities, and other intersection treatments were presented for public feedback to help the design team identify tools to address problem areas on the corridor.
Open House #3 for Nicollet Ave was held at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) from 4:30-6:30pm on Thursday, February 29th. Project staff presented three layout options for bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the corridor, as well as multiple design concepts for intersections along the corridor. If you were unable to attend, the display boards and bike/sidewalk options are available online.
OPEN HOUSE #4: WEDNESDAY, JULY 10TH, 2024
Open House #4 was held on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Avenue) from 4:30pm-6:30pm.If you were unable to attend, the display boards and initial concept for the corridor are available online.
CONTACT
Matt Huggins
Hennepin County Project Manager
612-596-0326 Email
Matt Hardegger
City of Richfield Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792 Email
73RD STREET MULTIUSE TRAIL – BLOOMINGTON AVENUE TO CEDAR AVENUE (SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL)
PURPOSE
The 73rd Street trail project is a City-led project to construct a permanent multiuse trail facility on 73rd Street between Bloomington Avenue and Cedar Avenue outside of Centennial Elementary School. Project goals include:
Construct a multiuse trail facility on one side of 73rd Street
Enhance connections for the neighborhood to Centennial Elementary School and the Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail
Improve pedestrian crossings at intersections
Implement traffic calming and safety measures
Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character
Summer 2024: Public Engagement and Preliminary Design
Open House #1: July 16th, 2024
Open House #2: September 12th, 2024
Fall/Winter 2024: Final Design and Project Bidding
Spring/Summer 2025: Project Construction
PROJECT FUNDING
This project is made possible by a Federal Safe Routes to School grant administered through the Metropolitan Council’s 2022 Regional Solicitation.
Total Estimated Project Cost: $810,000
Estimated Federal Portion (80%): $635,000
Estimated City Portion (20%): $165,000
OPEN HOUSE #1: TUESDAY, JULY 16TH, 2024
Open House #1 for the 73rd Street trail project was held at Centennial Elementary School (7301 Bloomington Avenue) on Tuesday, July 16th, from 4:30pm-6:30pm. Project staff was on hand gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current 73rd Street configuration to identify focus areas for design improvements. Participants were asked for their preference on trail locations as well as tools to improve pedestrian safety. If you were unable to attend in person, please contact Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer (contact information below). View the display boards from the Open House here.
OPEN HOUSE #2: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2024
Open House #2 for the 73rd Street trail project was held at Centennial Elementary School (7301 Bloomington Avenue) on Thursday, September 12th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Project staff were on hand gathering input on a preferred concept for the roadway and trail. View the display boards from the Open House here.
CONTACT
Matt Hardegger
City of Richfield Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792 Email
70TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS – ELLIOT AVENUE TO 12TH AVENUE (SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL)
PURPOSE
As part of our Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, the City has received a grant to add safety and access improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists, along 70th Street between Elliot Avenue and 12th Avenue. This street is adjacent to Richfield Dual Language School and Richfield STEM Elementary School. The project will present concepts based on traffic data, public input, and lessons learned from the temporary improvements that were tested during 2023.
PROJECT ELEMENTS
Off-street bike lane on the south side of 70th Street between Elliot Avenue and 12th Avenue.
Crossing improvements at the intersections of Elliot Avenue, 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, and 12th Avenue.
PROJECT GOALS
Increase multimodal accessibility to Richfield Dual Language School and Richfield STEM Elementary School.
Improve visibility and access for students crossing 70th Street.
Create calmer streets and manage traffic speeds along 70th Street.
This project is made possible by a State Safe Routes to School grant administered through MnDOT’s 2024 Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Solicitation. The State grant is expected to cover the entire construction cost.
Open House #1 was held on August 21st at the STEM Elementary School. Project staff were on hand to answer questions about what changes are coming to 70th Street in 2025. If you weren’t able to attend, please contact Matt Hardegger with any questions. Display boards are available to view online.
Join us on October 23 at the STEM Elementary School from 4:30-6:30pm to learn more about this upcoming project. A design concept that was updated based on previous public input and best practices will be presented at the event. Project staff will be on hand to answer questions about the design. If you aren’t able to attend, an online survey is available or you can contact Matt Hardegger with any questions.
CONTACT
Matt Hardegger
City of Richfield Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792 Email
66TH STREET AND RICHFIELD PARKWAY PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
PURPOSE
In 2023, Richfield received Active Transportation grant funding from MnDOT to construct 4 rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) at the 66th Street and Richfield Parkway Roundabout to improve pedestrian and bicyclist visibility and safety at the roundabout. This project will also include construction on the pedestrian curb ramps to make them ADA-compliant.
ANTICIPATED PROJECT TIMELINE
Late 2023: Final Design
Spring/Summer 2024: Project Construction
CONTACT
Matt Hardegger
Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792 Email
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
All demonstration projects are collaborations between the City of Richfield, Richfield Public Schools, and MnDOT through MnDOT’s Safe Routes to School program
73RD STREET AT CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Volunteers and city staff installed a temporary demonstration project on 73rd Street between Bloomington Avenue and Cedar Avenue on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 This project consists of a delineated trail from the Centennial parking lot to Cedar Avenue on the south side of 73rd Street, curb extensions (also known as bump outs) at several intersections, and marked crosswalks at select crossing locations. This project will be in place over winter in 2023/24. Because of this project, there will be no street parking allowed on 73rd Street from the Centennial driveway to Cedar Avenue.
The City of Richfield has received a grant through the Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation process to permanently construct this trail in 2026, so we will be looking for feedback on what works and what doesn’t during the temporary project. A link to a survey will be posted here when available. Feedback can also be provided by contacting Transportation Engineer Matt Hardegger at 612-861-9792 or mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov.
70TH STREET AT STEM/RDLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Volunteers and city staff installed the temporary demonstration project on 70th Street at Elliot and 12th Avenues as part of Richfield’s Safe Routes to School Program, which is a national initiative to encourage students to walk and bike to school more often. The project is a temporary installation to mimic concrete medians and curb extensions (also known as bump outs) to increase safety and visibility of students walking to and from the STEM and RDLS elementary schools. The demonstration project was removed the week of October 16th, 2023 for city crews to sweep prior to winter and maintain snow clearing operations through the winter. Following removal, the project success will be assessed and a determination to look at installing a more permanent solution will be made. To provide feedback, please fill out the project survey or contact Transportation Engineer Matt Hardegger at 612-861-9792 or mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov.
71ST STREET SIDEWALK – STEM/RDLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
In 2022, Richfield received Safe Routes to School grant money from MnDOT to fill in the “sidewalk gap” on the south side of the STEM/RDLS campus. The 6-foot-wide concrete sidewalk will run on the north side of 71st Street from Elliot Ave to 12th Ave, and include ADA-compliant pedestrian curb ramps at Elliot, 10th, 11th, and 12th Avenues. Construction of this project is scheduled for 2024.
CONTACT
Matt Hardegger
Transportation Engineer
612-861-9792 Email
65TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION – NICOLLET TO 66TH ST./RAE DR.
PURPOSE
To improve the pavement conditions, replace deteriorating sidewalks, and upgrade aging underground utilities while improving operational safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.
This project provides an opportunity to address a long-time flooding issue in the area of 65th Street and the HUB shopping center. Currently, this area is served by undersized storm infrastructure that is unable to adequately handle the more frequent, high intensity storms that have become more common. The design solution will apply a regional approach to alleviate the flooding commonly experienced along 65th Street, 66th Street, and the surrounding area.
ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION TIMLINE
The project is currently under construction. See the Road Work Updates page for current information about construction.
CONSTRUCTION KICK-OFF OPEN HOUSE – MAY 26
OPEN HOUSE #5 (VIRTUAL/ONLINE) – JUNE 1 to JUNE 8, 2020
OPEN HOUSE #4 (VIRTUAL/ONLINE) – APRIL 20 to APRIL 27, 2020
In lieu of a traditional open house, project staff hosted a virtual open house with a dedicated website with the hope of generating comparable engagement among stakeholders. The virtual open house was hosted Monday, April 20 through Monday, April 27.
MnDOT’s I-494: Airport to 169 Project is currently under construction. The City Council considered the project and approved the preliminary final layout of the project as required by state law on February 22, 2022.
MnDOT’s I-494: El proyecto Airport a 169 avanza hacia su primera fase de implementación. El Ayuntamiento consideró el proyecto y aprobó el diseño final preliminar del proyecto según lo exige la ley estatal el 22 de Febrero de 2022. Se espera que la construcción comience en el verano de 2023.
On October 13th, 2021, the City of Richfield and MnDOT held a series of public information meetings at the Richfield Municipal Center related to the future I-494: Airport to Highway 169 Project 1 implementation plan. The City Council held a Public Hearing on November 23rd, 2021 in advance of considering project approval.
If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can learn more about the project at MnDOT’s 494 project website or view a video recap of the information presented below.
To Comment: If you have questions related to I-494 construction, please visit MnDOT’s 494 project website. If you are in need of additional assistance, please contact Richfield Transportation Engineer Matt Hardegger at mhardegger@richfieldmn.gov or by calling 612-861-9792.
About this project:
I-494 is a heavily used interstate highway that joins with I-694 to create a loop around the Twin Cities Metro Area. The southwest stretch of the corridor provides direct access to major destinations such as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America, cross city access for commuters and freight, and local access for the numerous businesses and residents along the freeway. It is also one of the most heavily congested roads in the state.
To address congestion along the southwest portion of I-494, the State of Minnesota has been working with the cities along the corridor, the I-494 Corridor Coalition and the I-35W Solutions Alliance to develop a vision for how the freeway can increase capacity and better serve the growing multimodal needs of the community.
The “I-494: Airport to Hwy 169” project will develop and construct long term solutions that will:
Provide a transit advantage to increase the number of people who can be efficiently moved through the corridor
Improve the reliability of the average rush-hour trip
Improve safety
Restore pavement to preserve infrastructure and provide a smoother ride
Improve drainage systems to reduce localized flooding and reduce run-off into the Minnesota River
