Washington County outlines Highway 36/Lake Elmo Avenue grade-separation plan, construction set for 2026–27

Washington County project staff presented an update Feb. 18 to the Lake Elmo City Council on the Highway 36 and Lake Elmo Avenue intersection improvement project, explaining the county-selected preferred alternative, schedule and next steps.

Andrew Gieson, project manager for Washington County, said the county identified a “button-hook” or grade-separated design as the preferred alternative after a multi-step evaluation that considered more than 20 options and public feedback. The recommended plan raises Highway 36 over Lake Elmo Avenue with bridge structures, adds a frontage road on the south side of Highway 36 and provides ramped access including full deceleration and acceleration lanes.

Gieson said the intersection has an extensive crash history—about one crash every two weeks—and that traffic and congestion have increased since a 2017 bridge opening that improved cross-state travel. The county completed the intersection study phase and plans final engineering and right-of-way acquisition next; construction is expected to span two seasons, beginning in spring 2026 and finishing in fall 2027.

The project team also recommended adding improvements at nearby Keats Avenue into the scope. MnDOT had an independent program of $3 million for Keats improvements and agreed to contribute $6 million to the combined project—$3 million to pay for the added scope and $3 million to help close a small funding gap on the larger interchange work, Gieson said.

Gieson said project partners—including Federal Highway Administration, MnDOT, Washington County and the cities of Lake Elmo and Grant—have reached consensus on the button-hook alternative. He noted the county has begun property-owner outreach where additional right-of-way is required and is working with city staff on potential water-main relocations in the southeast quadrant of the interchange.

Next steps include completing environmental documentation, obtaining permits, finalizing plans and specifications, acquiring easements and preparing cooperative cost and maintenance agreements for the city to review before contract award. The county plans to advertise bids in the winter preceding construction and to host a preconstruction open house in spring 2026 to share detours and project contacts.

Councilmembers asked whether the frontage road would be city-owned; staff responded that the frontage road is expected to be city-owned and maintained. Councilmembers also asked about right-of-way standards and potential impacts to existing city utilities; staff said they are working with city staff to finalize those details.