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Highway 41 Angler intersection opening delayed; city and contractors provide alternate school routing and traffic steps
Summary
City staff told the council that heavy rain has delayed completion of the Highway 41 Angler intersection; staff said the opening is now likely in September and described interim traffic measures and school drop-off plans including individualized messages and possible flagging at school dismissal.
City staff told the Chaska City Council on Aug. 4 that persistent rain has delayed work on the Highway 41 Angler intersection and that the intersection will not open before the start of the school year as previously hoped. The staff member said the project is running "probably about 3 weeks, late," and that the intersection is now more likely to open in September.
Staff briefed the council on how the delay will affect local traffic and schools. They said the contractor has completed preparatory work so that the Park Ridge intersection portion is still expected to finish this year, and that the paved stretch between Royal Oak and White Oak should be completed within about two weeks. "They felt comfortable saying it'd be before Labor Day," the staff member said.
Because the intersection remains closed, traffic that normally used Engler to reach the Holiday gas station area is being routed up Meadow Lane, increasing traffic on that route. To reduce morning drop-off confusion when school starts, staff said the district and city will send individualized messages to the three impacted schools so each family knows where to go. For afternoon dismissal concerns, staff said they plan to place a flag person at Southwest Christian High School at least initially to help vehicles exit, and will monitor whether that role should continue.
Staff also noted that the project team is prioritizing opening the stretch between Royal Oak and White Oak as soon as practicable to relieve neighborhood routing pressure. Council members and staff discussed existing bottlenecks such as the roundabout near Victoria Drive and how temporary traffic patterns have shifted traffic volumes in ways that are expected to improve once paving is finished and the next project stages open.
The council received the update as information; no formal vote was required. Staff said they will continue to coordinate with the school district and provide updated timelines to the public as the contractor reports progress.
