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County Road 170/Caperton Road reconstruction briefing outlines rural-suburban design, environmental safeguards
Summary
City staff and a presenter named Jordan briefed the council on a planned County Road 170/Caperton Road reconstruction for spring 2026, describing a mostly rural cross-section, an eastern suburban section near Mount Nash Drive, right-of-way needs and temporary easements, and environmental and cultural-resource adjustments.
Counsel introduced a staff update and turned the briefing over to Jordan, who outlined plans for the County Road 170/Caperton Road reconstruction project slated for spring 2026. Jordan said the project runs from the county line east to Mount Nash Drive and that it will be built in two character types: a predominantly rural section and a suburban section approaching the school.
“Throughout this design, we're looking at two different types of segments, a rural and a suburban design,” Jordan said, adding that “90% will be that rural design with a 100-foot right-of-way and 50 feet on each side with the 12-foot lanes and 6-foot shoulders.” Jordan said the eastern approach near Mount Nash Drive will use curb-and-gutter and 33-foot rights-of-way on each side of the centerline.
Jordan emphasized safety improvements and environmental protections as primary goals. He said the team plans multiple culverts and design elements to allow turtle and other wildlife crossings and that state archaeologists requested redesign in places to avoid cultural resources. He also said the project will try to minimize property impacts and purchase permanent right-of-way while taking temporary easements for grading where necessary.
On schedule, Jordan said some preparatory work will occur in winter and that main construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, noting specific winter operations are done before March 31 to avoid impacts to construction activities in the spring. Jordan also said staff has begun outreach to property owners about right-of-way and temporary easements and expects to return to the council in about a month or two to seek municipal consent.
The presentation included plan views of construction limits, a description of proposed infiltration ponds to manage expanded impervious area required by MPCA rules, and a note that a westbound right-turn lane will be added at Mount Nash Drive. Jordan said the team is working to acquire balanced right-of-way from adjacent properties so that no single homeowner bears disproportionate property take.
Next steps: staff will continue property outreach, finalize design details to reflect archaeologists' recommendations and environmental protections, and return to the council for municipal consent and formal authorization for right-of-way acquisition and construction scheduling.
