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Forest Lake hears update on Highway 61/County Road 50 roundabout plan
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Summary
Washington County project manager Ryan Haves told Forest Lake council members the team is advancing a roundabout design for the Highway 61/County Road 50 intersection, has secured $2.67 million in grants, is seeking an additional $2 million and estimates the city's share at roughly $800,000—$1.1 million depending on final funding.
Washington County project manager Ryan Haves updated the Forest Lake City Council on plans to redesign the Highway 61 and County Road 50 intersection, saying the project team now expects to advance a roundabout design pending additional funding and city direction.
Haves said the intersection—just north of Headwaters Parkway—functions today as a side-street-stop on a 50 mph trunk highway and has a history of collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians when the existing rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) is activated. "We're kind of at the point now where we're looking to take the next step forward and really further the design," Haves said, and requested council guidance ahead of a future resolution of support.
The county has secured two grants totaling about $2,670,000 from regional solicitation and MnDOT partnership programs and is pursuing a third $2,000,000 community-project funding request through congressional channels. Haves presented two roundabout layouts: one shifted east that shortens some approach lengths but could require more right-of-way and impacts to city utilities, and one centered within MnDOT right-of-way that requires shifting Forest Road but reduces right-of-way takings.
Council members pressed the team on pedestrian safety, storage lengths for right-turn lanes and utility impacts. Haves and county staff said the centered option avoids major sewer relocations in some scenarios but noted a 24-inch trunk sewer and a water main run beneath the corridor that will likely require casing extensions or minor relocation work. "MnDOT's guidance here has been ... you don't need to relocate the utilities, assuming you're accepting the risk," a county presenter said, adding that significant repairs would be the city's financial responsibility if utilities are damaged.
On pedestrian controls, county staff said state and county policy generally do not recommend RRFB-type pedestrian devices at single-lane roundabouts because of operational complications, though they acknowledged that councils have requested such devices on some projects and that a city-funded installation could be implemented and maintained by the city if council desires. Haves also presented a preliminary cost breakdown showing the city's estimated all-in share (engineering, any ROW, construction and administration) in a range near $800,000 to $1,100,000 after the currently identified grants are applied; exact exposure will depend on the outcome of the additional funding request and final design.
Haves outlined a schedule that calls for a 60%-level layout this spring, final design work in 2026—27, federal environmental reviews and a construction target in 2028. Council members signaled general interest in the roundabout concept but asked staff to return with more detailed cost, maintenance and insurance information before the council takes a formal vote on a support resolution.
