Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Streets And Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews three cost options for Redwood–Chestnut road as traffic rises
Summary
City staff presented three construction options for Redwood–Chestnut — urban section (~$708,000), rural rebuild with 6-inch asphalt (~$1.5 million) and heavier base with 5-inch asphalt (~$2 million) — and discussed partnership and annexation implications.
City staff presented updated cost estimates for reconstructing Redwood–Chestnut Road, an east-side corridor expected to see increased traffic from new development and the Eastside Elementary School.
The council heard three options from an engineering update: an urban section (curb, gutter, street and shared-use path) with a cost estimate of about $708,000; a rural upgrade consisting of a 6-inch asphalt mat and shoulder grading estimated at roughly $1.5 million; and a heavier reconstruction with 12 inches of gravel base, geotextile fabric and 5 inches of asphalt (no curb/gutter or storm sewer) estimated just above $2 million.
City staff said the road currently carries about 600 vehicle trips per day, which staff noted exceeds a typical threshold the township considered appropriate (about 200). The transcript records staff cautioning that piecemeal paving of sections without addressing underlying frost-boil and base issues would likely be a poor long-term investment.
Why it matters: The council flagged the road as a multi-jurisdictional issue involving Brandon Township, Minnehaha County, the school district and affected property owners. Annexing road right-of-way or funding construction solely with city funds would have tax and geographic consequences; staff said some adjacent properties would have to sign annexation petitions if the city pursued right-of-way annexation. The council discussed negotiating cost-sharing with the school district, township and county before committing to a preferred design.
Next steps: Staff said they will reach out to property owners and Brandon Township, coordinate with an interested resident acting as a local contact, and present options and potential partnership structures to the council in a future meeting.
