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Project Overview

Hennepin County, in partnership with the cities of Minnetonka and Hopkins, is proposing to reconstruct County State Aid Highway 61 (Shady Oak Road) from north of CSAH 3 to TH 7. As part of the project development process, Hennepin County and the cities of Minnetonka and Hopkins worked together to analyze the land use implications of various roadway alternatives. From this a preliminary roadway layout was approved by the Cities for the reconstruction of CSAH 61.

Project Facts and Highlights

  • Project limits on CSAH 61 extend from north of CSAH 3 (Excelsior Blvd) to State Trunk Highway (TH 7), a distance of 0.7 miles.
  • The proposed years of construction are 2009 and 2010.
  • Current Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) is about 13,000 vehicles per day with a 20-year projection of 18,400.
  • The countywide 3-year (1999-2001) crash rate was exceeded on CSAH 61 between Excelsior Blvd and Mainstreet. Six crashes occurred, four crashes were clustered near the intersection of Bradford Rd, and two crashes occurred just south of Mainstreet. The lack of access control and channelization may be contributing factors to the accident history.
  • New traffic signals will be installed at Mainstreet and at TH 7.
  • The project will include landscaping and other aesthetic design treatments.
  • The project is included in the Hennepin County Bicycle Transportation System Plan. A trail along the corridor is anticipated.
  • The roadway project will require the acquisition of land for additional right-of-way.
  • Land acquisition is likely to result in short and long-term land use changes.
  • An analysis of the land use implications of various roadway alternatives was done. From this a preliminary roadway layout was approved by the Cities.
  • Environmental documentation will be prepared for this project after preliminary design approvals.

Project Contacts

Guy Nowlan, P.E.
Hennepin County Project Manager
1600 Prairie Drive
Medina, MN 55340-5421
612-596-0396
 Brent Lindgren, P.E.
Hennepin County Roadway Design Engineer
1600 Prairie Drive
Medina, MN 55340-5421
612-596-0395
Steve Stadler, P.E.
Hopkins Director of Public Works
1010 1st St S
Hopkins, MN 55343
952-548-6350
 Larry Blackstad
Hennepin County
417 N 5th St, Suite 320
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1362
612 348-5859