MnDOT-led study seeks solutions for frequent closures at three Southwest Metro river crossings
Summary
MnDOT, Scott County and Carver County will model river hydraulics and traffic at three river crossings (Highway 41, County 9/11, and TH 25) to develop concept alternatives and prioritize improvements; traffic modeling partnership was approved Jan. 6 and options expected by spring/summer.
County transportation staff described a MnDOT-led study to address repeated flooding and closures at three key river crossings.
"We have 3 crossings that we're looking at," Craig Jensen, Scott County transportation planning manager, said, identifying Highway 41 (Funk Road), County 9/11 and Trunk Highway 25 as the priority locations. Jensen said MnDOT will lead river modeling and produce three conceptual alternatives per crossing covering different elevation/cost tradeoffs and that traffic modeling will be used to estimate travel-time benefits and to help prioritize options.
Jensen summarized historic closures: 16 closures in 90 years overall, 12 in the last 33 years, and nine closures in the last 16 years at the modeled locations. MnDOT’s work will include hydrologic modeling, concepts with plans and profiles, and traffic forecasting. Jensen said MnDOT hopes to have initial options by spring or summer and that additional design and funding steps would follow any recommended alternative.
Commissioners asked about cost ranges and potential impacts to downtown traffic if crossings are raised. Staff said cost estimates depend on concept choices and approaches; comparisons to past regional projects put minimum potential costs in the tens of millions for raising a crossing but emphasized large uncertainty until alternatives are developed.
What happens next: MnDOT will gather river and traffic data, prepare concepts, and coordinate traffic modeling with the counties. Commissioners asked to be kept informed and asked staff to ensure county input as designs progress.
