 Mn/DOT Metro TH 55 Environmental Assessment
Due in large part to the efforts of the Coalition, planning is moving forward for the future expansion and reconstruction of Highway 55 from Plymouth to Rockford. Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) are preparing an Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA/EAW) for the purposes of corridor preservation. The EA/EAW will be prepared to assess the potential impacts of the project and to help obtain federal funding for right of way preservation. Construction on the project is not programmed in the Mn/DOT 20-year plan and, therefore, there is currently no funding designated for construction. However, the EA/EAW and corridor preservation processes will allow construction of the project to proceed efficiently when funding is secured.
A public open house was held January 30, 2007 to provide information on project status and improvement concepts under consideration.
See the Mn/DOT project Web site for more details.
Mn/DOT District 3 TH 55 Environmental Assessment
Mn/DOT District 3 will begin work this summer on an Environmental Assessment to expand TH 55 to a four-lane expressway between Rockford and Buffalo. An official map has already defined the corridor, but detailed design work and the evaluation of social, economic and environmental impacts must be completed. The full expansion project is not currently funded, but completing the environmental process will allow local jurisictions to preserve the corridor.
Calder Avenue/CR 134 @ TH 55 in Buffalo
Mn/DOT is working with Wright County and City of Buffalo on a project to extend the existing four-lane southeast of Buffalo through the intersection of Wright County Road 134. The TH 55 Coalition has directed funding toward this project, which will add almost a mile of four-lane and a traffic signal at the intersection of TH 55 and Co. Rd. 134. The City hopes to begin construction on this project in late 2007 or early 2008.
This is especially timely given that Menards has opened on CR 134 along with other new businesses not too far from the intersection.
Fernbrook Lane in Plymouth
The City of Plymouth currently is working on to add additional turn lanes and access control on Fernbrook Lane and TH 55. This improvement will improve traffic flow through the intersection and improve safety on the Fernbrook Lane approaches to the TH 55 intersection. Right-of-way acquisition to began in 2006 and construction started in 2007.
CSAH 12 @ TH 55 in Buffalo
Wright County and MnDOT are currently working on plans to install a traffic signal at the intersection of CSAH 12 and TH 55. This improvement will improve the safety of the intersection that is near to the new elementary school that opened in 2006. The project is planned to be started and completed in 2007.
COMPLETED - Construction Project - TH 55 in Buffalo
The TH 55 construction project in Buffalo from 200 feet east of the TH25 intersection to 1600 feet west of County Road 134 was started in May of 2004. It was completed in late summer 2005. The project construction cost was approximately $9.5 million dollars.
This segment of TH 55 was converted to an urban 4-lane divided highway. The temporary wood pole signals were replaced with permanent signal systems at the reconstructed intersections.
CSAH 35 was also relocated as part of this project. The City of Buffalo also upgraded or added water and sanitary pipelines along the project corridor. MnDOT appreciates your cooperation and patience during this upgrade.
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| Traffic congestion on TH 55 prior and during construction in Buffalo |
Aerial view of completed segment of TH 55 in Buffalo |
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