MnDOT presents local mitigation plans for Highway 252; council presses on sidewalks, roundabouts and school crossings

MnDOT and its consultants presented mitigation plans for three Brooklyn Park corridors affected by the proposed Trunk Highway 252 freeway conversion: 80th Avenue (from Hwy 252 to Lowell Avenue), the Humboldt–80th/James/Logan connector, and Brookdale Drive near an elementary school. The presentation summarized traffic‑volume scenarios, safety assessments and public outreach results and proposed a mix of pedestrian, bicycle and intersection improvements meant to reduce risk from higher local volumes as access patterns change with the freeway.

Ryan Wilson, MnDOT—s West Area Manager, described the project and introduced consultant staff. "We're really focused on the process, kind of walking through our phase 1a, 1b, 2," he said, locating the briefing in a continuing planning sequence. Brian Nemeth of the consultant team outlined the three target locations and the proposed measures: trails and sidewalks, improved lighting, accessible pedestrian signals, flashing yellow arrow left‑turn phasing, right‑turn lane geometry and targeted crossing hardware.

At 80th Avenue staff are proposing north‑ and south‑side trail segments, improved signal timing and lighting and some right‑turn lane modifications; MnDOT said three‑quarter access changes were considered but are not recommended after public feedback. "We considered them, but they're not recommended," Brian Nemeth said, noting about 45% of respondents favored three‑quarter access and 55% opposed it. MnDOT reported about 1,000 door knocks, 25 lawn signs and 11 outreach events with roughly 150 written or online responses in the 80th area; respondents were majority local residents.

For the Humboldt–80th connector the team proposed new sidewalks within existing right‑of‑way and warned that final curb lines and temporary construction impacts remain under design review. Council member Nicole Klonowski pressed for clarity about where sidewalks would be placed and whether on‑street parking would be lost; consultants said they are trying to fit sidewalk within the right‑of‑way and avoid permanent acquisitions but that reconciling shallow front yards, parking and sidewalk width will require additional design and resident engagement.

Brookdale Drive options presented included: a three‑lane section with a center left‑turn lane; a median treatment with roundabouts at junctions; and a hybrid (Option C) with a three‑lane west segment and a median near the school plus roundabouts at key intersections. The hybrid was the recommended option for Brookdale, supported by roughly 41% of the small number of respondents in that area. Consultants highlighted bus staging and school‑day circulation as design drivers and said a rectangular rapid‑flashing beacon is proposed at the school crossing. "We're definitely going to have to have some roundabout education," the consultant said.

Council members and public commenters asked multiple safety questions. Council member Mary Prokloski asked whether pedestrian crossings at roundabouts are safe for children; consultants pointed to MnDOT analyses showing lower speeds and reductions in severe crashes and described design measures—heightened crossings, beacons, and single‑direction crossing steps—that aim to improve pedestrian safety. "You are only crossing one direction of traffic at a time," a project presenter said when describing how roundabouts can be safer than some signalized or mid‑block crossings.

Cost and scheduling questions followed: staff said the Brookdale mitigation would be paid from the Highway 252 mitigation line (MnDOT mitigation funds) and estimated some of the rebuilding could be in the low millions for the corridor and might be constructed in roughly a year if separately let; the exact cost and delivery approach will depend on whether the city contracts separately or coordinates with the larger Hwy 252 project. "This is a mitigation item…MnDOT is paying for this, out of the project budget," consultant Brandy Pubnick said of Brookdale work; she added she did not have a final cost estimate on hand.

What happens next: MnDOT and city staff said further resident engagement and design refinement will continue, particularly where sidewalks must be balanced with parking and shallow front yards. The presenters emphasized mitigation is still tied to decisions on the freeway footprint (four versus six lanes) and the project—s multi‑phase schedule. The council did not take formal action at the work session; staff said detailed design and additional community outreach will be scheduled as the project advances.

Ending: City staff noted the presentation was part of a continuing planning phase and thanked the project team and community for engagement; councilmembers asked for additional studies and for follow‑up materials on roundabout pedestrian performance and cost estimates.