2020 road construction and maintenance projects announced
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has approved more than $51 million in proposed road construction and maintenance projects for the upcoming 2020 season. Ramsey County Public Works will lead or participate in nearly 50 projects that will improve travel and commerce throughout communities in the east metro and improve safety conditions for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Most projects will begin in the summer. Updates will be provided online and via an interactive map as construction season progresses — including detours and timelines. Subscriptions for project updates via email and text message are also available.
Major projects
- Reconstruction of Dale Street between Iglehart and University avenues – The $14.7 million project includes reconstructing and widening the bridge over Interstate 94 – including widening the sidewalks to 16 feet to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in all seasons. It will also involve installing public art and reconfiguring lanes to accommodate traffic volumes and facilitate better traffic flow.
- Resurfacing and lane reconfiguration on Energy Park Drive between Everett Court and Lexington Avenue – In addition to replacing the surface layer of pavement on Energy Park Drive, the road will be converted from four traffic lanes to three between Everett Court and Snelling Avenue and from four traffic lanes to two between Snelling Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Bike lanes will also be added. Once complete, these bike lines will finish a system connection that will allow bicyclists to travel from downtown Saint Paul to the county line at Highway 280 entirely via a designated bike lane.
- Resurfacing and 4-to-3 lane conversions on Maryland and Larpenteur – Following successful trials in 2019, Maryland Avenue between Arkwright Street and Payne Avenue and Larpenteur Avenue between Dale Street and Interstate 35E will be resurfaced and permanently converted from four-lane roads to three-lane roads.
- Realignment of Lexington Parkway at West 7th Street – Lexington Parkway will be realigned between Adrian and Albion street in Saint Paul, reducing the number of roads intersecting at West 7th Street and Montreal Avenue and improving travel through the intersection. Pedestrian and bicycle connections will also be added.
Ramsey County Public Works will resurface about 13 miles of county roads as part of its 2020 maintenance program, with projects in nearly every Ramsey County community. These projects typically include pedestrian crossing and signal improvements, and will also involve installing an additional 5.2 miles of bike lanes on county roads. Wheelage tax revenues — a $20 charge collected with annual vehicle registration — allow the Public Works department to keep pace with what had been a growing backlog of road segments in pressing need of repair.
Approximately 36% of all vehicle miles traveled in Ramsey County are on roads maintained by the county. Ramsey County's system includes nearly 850 lane miles of county roads, 57 bridges, 365 signal systems, 21 miles of bike lanes, sidewalks, tens of thousands of signs, more than 9,000 drainage structures and related infrastructure.
Road construction and the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic
Public Works and construction workers are permitted to leave home for work under Minnesota’s Stay at Home order, which is in effect from March 27-April 10.
Ramsey County will work with project contractors to follow workplace hygiene and social distancing recommendations from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health to slow the spread of coronavirus/COVID-19.
Learn more about the impact of coronavirus on county services - and view important health tips - at ramseycounty.us/coronavirus.