NEXT ON YOUR COMMUTE

Cars travel along Highway 13 in Savage. The road is down to one lane in each direction for construction of an interchange.

PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON

Construction hits the road

Projects ramp up

BY MARK WASSON

Scott County travelers are facing multiple slow-downs during road improvements this summer.

The biggest disruption is between the Highway 101 interchange and Quentin Avenue on Highway 13 in Savage as construction of an interchange at Dakota Avenue takes place, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

At $33 million, the interchange aims to improve safety, reduce congestion and create better access to the city’s bustling shipping ports on the Minnesota River. The highway is one lane in either direction during the first phase of construction.

“We always like to maintain the road,” said Kirsten Klein, MnDOT spokesperson. “Some of these projects, especially in Scott County, have some safety improvements.”

Also during this time period, motorists should expect road closures and detours between Highway 19 and Highway 282 for a Highway 13 resurfacing project and the construction of left turn lanes and paved shoulders; as well as at Highway 13 and County Road 8 for the construction of a roundabout. Both of these projects will cost over $12 million total.

Years of planning goes into many projects to figure out what needs to be done and what funding will be needed, Klein said.

Shoulder and possible lane closures will take place August through October on Highway 169 and 166th Street in Sand Creek Township to extend a frontage road from Berkshire Lane to Bluff Drive and to construct an acceleration lane on Highway 169 to Bluff Drive.

“Safety is always the No. 1 priority when you’re driving on the road at anytime because traffic conditions can change, whether it starts to rain and traffic slows down in front of you or if there’s construction on the road,” Klein said.

“We want you to come as well as we want all of our construction people to be able to go home as well. So follow those signs, pay attention, make sure you don’t have other distractions in your car with you while you’re driving through those construction zones,” Klein stated.

For up to date road conditions, travelers can check 511mn.org.