Lakeville public works director outlines $50 million I‑35/County Road 50 interchange estimate, service‑line inventory and tree‑replacement grants

Kevin Omi, Lakeville’s public works director, told the City Council on Jan. 6 that the department is advancing a preferred layout for the Interstate 35 and County Road 50 interchange and is seeking funding for a project currently estimated at about $50,000,000; if funding is secured, construction could begin in 2028.

The interchange proposal was the headline item in a broader Q4 public works report that reviewed road work, stormwater inspections, utility operations, vegetation management and a new private service‑line grant the council had on the agenda. "This is our Q4 report for public works," Omi said as he opened the presentation.

Why this matters: the interchange, road expansions and service‑line work affect travel, stormwater and water quality for residents across the city. The inventory and replacement schedule for older service lines also affect property owners who may face repairs or be eligible for grants.

Omi said the public works department held a neighborhood open house about the interchange on Dec. 19 with roughly 40 property owners, and the department will submit the finalized alignment to MnDOT for consideration. The presentation included several other capital projects: a 100th/85th Street project (Kenwood Trail to Piava Avenue) that will widen a rural two‑lane section to a four‑lane divided roadway with trails and turn lanes,…