Construction Home Page
Open House Materials
Click HERE to view informational boards displayed at the Open House.
Media Coverage
Click HERE to view newspaper article about the Project Open House (2/3/12).
Click HERE to view newspaper article about the presentation made to Blaine City Council (2/13/12).
Welcome
Serving as the border between the cities of Coon Rapids and Blaine, University Avenue (CSAH 51) plays an increasingly important transportation role within Anoka County as well as the northern portion of the metropolitan area. Realizing its increasing importance, coupled with the need to improve the roadway itself, Anoka County obtained funding to expand the segment of University Avenue between 109th Avenue (CSAH 12) and 121st Avenue to a four lane divided roadway. Currently, University Avenue averages approximately 14,000. University Avenue is also a heavily traveled public transit and school bus route, with several schools adjacent or within the University Avenue travelshed. As Anoka County continues to grow, University Avenue will see increased use, particularly as the parallel routes of US 10 and TH 65 become increasingly congested. Therefore, it is imperative that this roadway is improved to accommodate existing and future transportation needs.
Project Background / Description
In 2009, Anoka Couty applied for, and received, Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding to widen and reconstruct the segment of University Avenue from 109th Avenue to 121st Avenue just south of Main Street (CSAH 14) representing a distance of approximately 1.6 miles. The project involves reconstructing the existing 2-lane roadway into a new 4-lane divided roadway with curb and gutter and outside shoulders. The project also involves the reconstruction of major intersections, including the installation of turn lanes at all public streets. Furthermore, the project will improve existing bus stop locations by providing pedestrian ramps or curb-cuts and connections to a pedestrian/bicycle path that will run parallel to the roadway. The proposed pedestrian/bicycle path will improve safety for bicycles and pedestrians and provide connections to regional trails. The trail, which will be separated from the roadway, will also provide connections to parks and institutional facilities along the corridor, including Bunker Hills Regional Park and Blaine High School near the northern project limits and Eisenhower Elementary School and Northdale Middle School near the southern limits of the project.
Environmental Documents
Federal funding has been granted for the project and therefore, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is required. Through the EA process, the County will have the opportunity to receive public input and coordinate with permitting agencies. The EA will be approved and signed by Anoka County, Mn/DOT, and the Federal Highway Administration. It is intended that the EA will also serve as the state environmental document, required by state rules, which will be processed through Minnesota’s Environmental Quality Board. As the environmental documents become available, they will be posted on this website.
Schedule
Project Schedule (PDF)
Provided below is an overview of the project schedule identifying key milestones in the process:
Public Involvement / Meetings / Media
Various stakeholders, ranging from permitting agencies (I.e., Mn/DNR, Mn/DOT, Watershed Districts, etc.) to residents and property owners living or working along or near the roadway, have an interest in the development of the roadway project. The County recognizes that these interests vary in perspective. The County will use information provided by the various stakeholders when making decisions on final improvements. There are a number of activities which will occur throughout the design process that will allow for input from the various stakeholders. Agency and public involvement activities will include:
These activities will be scheduled throughout the project’s development. More information regarding the various activities is included below:
Technical Advisory Committee Meetings
The County has assembled a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide input and feedback on the proposed project. Members of the TAC include staff from Anoka County, the Cities of Coon Rapids and Blaine, and WSB & Associates, Inc. (the consultant conducting the environmental study for this project). The TAC meets monthly to discuss various aspects of this project. The TAC members exchange technical and political information on the project between the governmental stakeholders. The TAC members report information to their various councils and/or boards and provide directives for action during the project’s development.
Agency Coordination Meetings
Throughout the project development process various agencies will have concerns regarding resources that may be impacted due to the project. The County and the cities will meet with the individual agencies throughout the project development to gain an understanding of their concerns and work through possible mitigation strategies or design improvements necessary to reach a consensus.
Presentations at Council Meetings
Anoka County staff will present project information at city council meetings and/or workshops to educate and solicit input from elected officials about the proposed project.
Public Information Meetings
Anoka County will provide informational materials and maps at Public Information Meetings that will be held throughout the course of the project. The County will inform the surrounding landowners of the upcoming meetings by mailing out individual meeting notices to property owners and residents within a half mile of the corridor. In addition, this website will also contain announcements of the upcoming meetings. The meetings will be an open house style format where County and city staff will interact with the public, answering questions and providing information as they look at various boards and maps of the proposed project. Comment cards will be provided to the public to use for written comments and can be completed either at the meeting or at home. Verbal and written comments gathered at the meetings will be summarized and published on this website for public viewing.
February 15, 2012 Open House Postcard- Blaine City Hall (pdf)
Public Hearing
A public hearing will be conducted after the Environmental Assessment (EA) is completed and published for the public to review. At the public hearing, the public will be allowed to provide comments regarding the content provided in the EA. Comments received at the public hearing will be transcribed and recorded in a Findings of Fact and Conclusion document. Written comments will also be included in this document.
Maps/Layouts
Corridor Issues Map (pdf)
Preliminary Layout (pdf)
As figures and other information become available, they will be posted on this website.
Public Comment
Please feel free to send any comments or questions to Matthew Parent at matthew.parent@co.anoka.mn.us
FAQs
Answers/Responses to Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Project Contacts
If you have questions about the proposed project or would like to comment on any aspect of the project, please contact any of the representatives below:
Gina Pizzo, Engineering Project Manager
763.862.4248; gina.pizzo@co.anoka.mn.us
Matthew Parent, Planning Project Manager
763.862.4291; matthew.parent@co.anoka.mn.us
Jason Orcutt, Engineering Design Supervisor
763.862.4258; jason.orcutt@co.anoka.mn.us
Curt Kobilarcsik, Right of Way Supervisor
763.862.4223; curt.kobilarcsik@co.anoka.mn.us