Sweet Streets-City of Richfield

JOIN US TONIGHT!

Open House #3 for Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction will be held at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave S) from 4:30pm–6:30pm on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Project staff will be unveiling potential roadway design options based on previously gathered community input and we want to know what you think! Please join us and share your thoughts on how this street can better support your day-to-day needs.

The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project aims to:
☑ Replace deteriorating pavement surfaces and walks
☑ Enhance mobility and connections to planned and existing regional multi-modal routes and destinations
☑ Implement a dedicated bikeway
☑ Improve existing public utilities
☑ Improve intersection traffic control
☑ Implement traffic calming and safety measures
☑ Improve transit stops for current and future transit routes
☑ Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character
Learn more by visiting https://www.richfieldsweetstreets.org/learn

Open House #3 for Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction will be held at the Richfield Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave S) from 4:30pm–6:30pm on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Project staff will be unveiling potential roadway design options based on previously gathered community input and we want to know what you think! Please join us and share your thoughts on how this street can better support your day-to-day needs.

The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project aims to:
☑ Replace deteriorating pavement surfaces and walks
☑ Enhance mobility and connections to planned and existing regional multi-modal routes and destinations
☑ Implement a dedicated bikeway
☑ Improve existing public utilities
☑ Improve intersection traffic control
☑ Implement traffic calming and safety measures
☑ Improve transit stops for current and future transit routes
☑ Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character

Learn more by visiting https://www.richfieldsweetstreets.org/learn

JOIN US THIS EVENING!

Open House #1 for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction will be held at Augsburg Park Library (7100 Nicollet Ave) from 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Project staff will be gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current Nicollet Avenue corridor to identify focus areas for design improvements.
The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project aims to:

☑ Replace deteriorating pavement surfaces and walks
☑ Enhance mobility and connections to planned and existing regional multi-modal routes and destinations
☑ Implement a dedicated bikeway
☑ Improve existing public utilities
☑ Improve intersection traffic control
☑ Implement traffic calming and safety measures
☑ Improve transit stops for current and future transit routes
☑ Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character

Learn more by visiting

Projects - Richfield Sweet Streets NICOLLET AVE (CSAH 52) RECONSTRUCTION – 77TH ST TO 66TH ST PURPOSE The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project a...

Open House #1 for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction will be held at Augsburg Park Library (7100 Nicollet Ave) from 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Project staff will be gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current Nicollet Avenue corridor to identify focus areas for design improvements.
The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project aims to:

☑ Replace deteriorating pavement surfaces and walks
☑ Enhance mobility and connections to planned and existing regional multi-modal routes and destinations
☑ Implement a dedicated bikeway
☑ Improve existing public utilities
☑ Improve intersection traffic control
☑ Implement traffic calming and safety measures
☑ Improve transit stops for current and future transit routes
☑ Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character

Learn more by visiting https://www.richfieldsweetstreets.org/learn

Open House #1 for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction will be held at Augsburg Park Library (7100 Nicollet Ave) from 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Project staff will be gathering input from the public on existing challenges and strengths of the current Nicollet Avenue corridor to identify focus areas for design improvements.

The Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project is being led by Hennepin County in partnership with the City of Richfield to improve conditions for all people using the Nicollet Avenue corridor for travel. This Hennepin County project aims to:

☑ Replace deteriorating pavement surfaces and walks
☑ Enhance mobility and connections to planned and existing regional multi-modal routes and destinations
☑ Implement a dedicated bikeway
☑ Improve existing public utilities
☑ Improve intersection traffic control
☑ Implement traffic calming and safety measures
☑ Improve transit stops for current and future transit routes
☑ Leverage green infrastructure to achieve stormwater goals and enhance visual character

Learn more by visiting https://www.richfieldsweetstreets.org/learn

⭐Beginning July 10, 65th & Lyndale will be closed for construction⭐

As part of the 65th street reconstruction project, the city will be closing the intersection of 65th street and Lyndale avenue starting on July 10. This closure is expected to last approximately two months. During this time, the contractor will be removing and installing new utilities, and reconstructing the intersection into a one-lane roundabout.

The official detour route during the closure will use 66th Street, Nicollet Avenue and 61st Street (Minneapolis). Metro Transit will be using this detour for the Route 4 bus as well.
Businesses and residences will remain open and accessible along Lyndale Avenue and 65th Street throughout construction.

A fresh batch of Richfield road reconstruction updates were just published over at Richfield Sweet Streets!

In summary:
- 77th Street Underpass looks more like an underpass by the day!
- 65th Street Reconstruction is inching closer to Lyndale Avenue from the west!
- Hennepin County's pedestrian improvements project is moving along swimmingly!

Here are a few sneak peak photos. Learn more by visiting: https://www.richfieldsweetstreets.org/updates

The City is developing a plan to expand safe and convenient walking, biking and rolling (active transportation) options in the city. We are working to develop a vision for an active transportation system that provides quiet, low-stress, enjoyable routes for people to get to and from their homes, shops, schools, work, transit, and parks. The Plan will identify short- to long-term opportunities to advance active transportation in the City of Richfield.

How can you contribute? We need your help identifying specific locations where walking, biking and rolling could feel safer and more comfortable for you and your family. Please visit: https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/richfield-community-active-transportation-plan

The City of Richfield is excited to announce that we have been designated a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists! The award recognizes Richfield for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices. Richfield is 1 of 7 cities in Minnesota and 1 of 112 cities nationwide to have been awarded the Silver-level designation!

The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how communities build and benchmark progress toward making biking better. Earlier this year, the League made major updates to add and integrate equity and accessibility into the program’s application and emphasize the importance of building and connecting low-speed and low-stress bike networks.

The City would like to recognize Richfield Public Schools and Walk Bike Richfield for their time and effort in pursuing this award and making Richfield a leading Bicycle Friendly Community! Read the official news release at: https://www.bikeleague.org/content/more-500-cities-and-towns-across-america-are-league-certified-bicycle-friendly-communities

Beginning tomorrow, Bloomington Ave will be closed completely between 62nd St and Hwy 62. There will be no northbound access to the Hwy 62 EB ramp or Minneapolis from Richfield. Local access will be maintained to homes for residents. Southbound traffic coming from Minneapolis will be forced onto Hwy 62 EB and will not be able to access Richfield from the Bloomington Ave Bridge. Hwy 62 EB traffic will not be able to exit the freeway at Bloomington but will instead be detoured to Portland or Hwy 77. The bicycle and pedestrian trails between Taft Lake and Bloomington Ave will be closed while the headwall and pipes are constructed in the park. This closure is expected to last up to three weeks.

Minneapolis Public Works and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working together on the project. This project will replace two parallel and aging storm sewer pipes that drain to Taft Lake. The owner of one pipe is the City of Minneapolis and the other pipe's owner is MnDOT. Construction of a new headwall for the pipes will begin in December 2022 where the pipes discharge into Taft Lake. The project will replace roughly 140 feet of each pipe to the west of the lake and remove sediment that has accumulated in the lake near the outfall over several decades.

Beginning Monday December 12, Bloomington Ave will be closed completely between 62nd St and Hwy 62. There will be no northbound access to the Hwy 62 EB ramp or Minneapolis from Richfield. Local access will be maintained to homes for residents. Southbound traffic coming from Minneapolis will be forced onto Hwy 62 EB and will not be able to access Richfield from the Bloomington Ave Bridge. Hwy 62 EB traffic will not be able to exit the freeway at Bloomington but will instead be detoured to Portland or Hwy 77. The bicycle and pedestrian trails between Taft Lake and Bloomington Ave will be closed while the headwall and pipes are constructed in the park. This closure is expected to last up to three weeks.

Minneapolis Public Works and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working together on the project. This project will replace two parallel and aging storm sewer pipes that drain to Taft Lake. The owner of one pipe is the City of Minneapolis and the other pipe's owner is MnDOT. Construction of a new headwall for the pipes will begin in December 2022 where the pipes discharge into Taft Lake. The project will replace roughly 140 feet of each pipe to the west of the lake and remove sediment that has accumulated in the lake near the outfall over several decades.

⚠️ End-of-season 77th Street Underpass Construction Update! ⚠️

☑ Winter stabilization and dormant seeding is officially complete within Washington Park. Residents are welcome to walk through the park, however they may not enter the job site along 77th St.

☑ The ramp from 494 westbound to TH 77 northbound is expected to reopen on November 18th. The ramp is currently closed due to some final grading and backfilling of one of the bridges located along the ramp.

☑ Storm sewer work on the west side of the project continues on through this week, and will be wrapped by mid-next week.

☑ The contractor will be completing some final grading throughout the entire site prior to work wrapping up for 2022.

☑ Miscellaneous work will take place throughout the winter but substantial construction will not resume until Spring 2023.

☑ The 77th Street Underpass is expected to be complete and fully open by Fall 2023!

⚠ End-of-season 65th Street Reconstruction Project Update! ⚠️

☑ Concrete work is officially completed for the first stage of this project. This includes curb, gutter, driveway aprons, and sidewalk.

☑ Construction crews are currently working on the final grade of both the trail on the north side of 65th St, as well as the north side of the roadway on the east end of 65th St and Rae Dr.

☑ Weather permitting, the final lift of asphalt for both ends of the project is expected to be paved by mid-November.

☑ Once this work is complete, crews will do some final stabilization and tidying up before leaving for the Winter.

☑ The second stage of the project is expected to begin early spring of 2023.

☑ Both ends of the project will be fully open to traffic throughout the Winter.

☑ As always, contact Civil Engineer Olivia Wycklendt with any questions or concerns at [email protected] or 612-861-9789.

The City of Richfield was awarded planning assistance from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to update and consolidate our active transportation plans. Over the coming year, the city and MnDOT will evaluate our continuing work to better the pedestrian, bicyclist, and transit user experience. We will also combine our bike, pedestrian, and safe routes to school planning into a unified action plan. This effort will also identify opportunities and solutions to overcome community barriers, especially in parts of the community with greater diversity.

To learn more about the efforts, please view the MnDOT press release here: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/.../09/12-metro-transplan.html

Civil Engineer, Olivia Wycklendt, is on site at the Pizza Luce parking lot with the contractors, answering questions about the 65th Street Reconstruction project. Stop on down! The crew will be back to answer more next week at 4pm from the Blaisdell cul-de-sac.

Curious about the 65th Street Project? Residents are encouraged to attend bi-weekly “on the corner” meetings to get face to face updates on the state of the 65th St. Reconstruction Project from City Staff and the Contractor. At the meeting residents are encouraged to ask questions about the project, voice any concerns, and learn about anticipated work schedule and impacts in the coming weeks. These meetings will be held every other Thursday while construction is occurring.

- East end of project: August 25th, 2022 @ 4:00 PM at Blaisdell Cul-de-sac.

- West end of Project: September 1st, 2022 @ 4:00 PM at the North end of Pizza Lucé parking lot.

- East end of project: September 8th, 2022 @ 4:00 PM at Blaisdell Cul-de-sac.

- West end of Project: September 15th, 2022 @ 4:00 PM at the North end of Pizza Lucé parking lot.

The intersection of 64th Street and Stevens Avenue will be closed Tuesday morning through Thursday morning to Mill and Overlay the intersection that was damaged after a water main break this winter. No traffic will be allowed to pass through this junction while the work is being completed. Please use alternate routes to navigate the area.

Contact Richfield Public Works Utilities at 612-861-9165 with any questions.

⚠ August 18th 77th Street Underpass Construction Update ⚠️

☑ The Contractor has been making steady progress on the 77th Street Underpass throughout July and the project remains on schedule. Dry weather has allowed for relatively uninterrupted work these last two months.

☑ Grading within Washington Park is being re-worked to allow for better and safer access for pedestrians and cyclists alike throughout the park. By early September crews are expected to complete the final grading of the trail, which will be followed by paving. As a part of this regrading, crews will be installing several modular block retaining walls over the next two weeks.

☑ Next week crews will be installing the sanitary sewer structures which service one of the businesses on the east side of TH 77.

☑ The project’s easternmost bridge will have bridge stems and footings complete in the next 3 weeks. This bridge will take westbound traffic off of 494 to northbound TH 77.