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Board approves diverging‑diamond recommendation, authorizes submission to MnDOT for Lakeville interchange project
Summary
The Dakota County Board voted to submit recommended design alternatives — with the diverging diamond as the recommendation — to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for interchange improvements at County State Aid Highway 50/5 and I‑35 (County Project 50‑33); the board discussed costs, right‑of‑way impacts and schedule.
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 21 to authorize county staff to submit recommended design alternatives, with the diverging diamond as the recommended option, to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for interchange improvements at County State Aid Highway 50/5 and Interstate 35 (County Project 50‑33) in Lakeville.
Doug Peters, county transportation staff, said staff evaluated two leading alternatives — a modernized diamond and a diverging diamond — and concluded the diverging diamond best fits the interchange’s traffic patterns, where 60–80% of movements interact with I‑35. "The diverging diamond is the recommendation; it is the best fit to traffic needs," Peters told the board.
Peters said the diverging diamond is expected to reduce fatal and injury crashes (the county referenced national and Minnesota data showing lower crash rates for comparable designs). Staff presented updated cost estimates that rose after applying inflation guidance from Minnesota Management and Budget; Peters said roughly two‑thirds of the cost is expected on the state trunk highway system and about one‑third on county roadway sections.
Commissioners raised concerns about right‑of‑way and business impacts. Commissioner Holberg noted that one alternative would require taking a strip mall property and that such permanent takings could affect the local property tax base. "Not only would that contribute to the cost of the total project, but would have a permanent impact on property tax base as well," Holberg said, asking the board to weigh those consequences when comparing alternatives.
Board members also discussed public outreach, funding strategies (federal RAISE grant, corridors of commerce, state bonding) and an early schedule. Staff said they planned to submit the layout to MnDOT early the following week to meet a regulatory deadline and to file a RAISE grant application before the end of the week.
Commissioner Holberg moved approval of the requested action; Commissioner Adrasti seconded. A roll‑call vote yielded affirmative votes from the commissioners present and the motion carried.
The county will continue detailed design work, environmental documentation and community outreach; staff noted multiple design reviews remain before final design and construction funding decisions.
