Anoka County celebrates Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway award, readies Highway 65 groundbreaking

Anoka County commissioners recognized the Highway 10 Ramsey Gateway Project on Tuesday after the American Council of Engineering Companies honored the corridor work as part of its 2026 engineering excellence awards.

"The project included the construction of two grade separated interchanges at Ramsey Boulevard and Sunfish Boulevard, replacing the former signalized intersections," said Commissioner Heinrich, describing the safety and mobility improvements and the project's multi‑year, multi‑partner delivery.

County highway staff accepted the award and emphasized community involvement and on‑time, largely on‑budget delivery. "Every phase of this project from right‑of‑way acquisition through construction was completed on time, and most of it was done on budget or under budget," Jason Orcutt, senior engineering manager, said while accepting recognition.

Commissioners noted the project also separated BNSF railroad crossings at two locations, which officials said greatly enhanced safety. The board thanked local, state and federal partners and recognized earlier related projects (Thurston and Fair Oak, Armstrong) that together form a larger Highway 10 corridor effort.

Chair Scholte also announced a groundbreaking scheduled for the following day for the long‑awaited Highway 65 reconstruction through Blaine, calling it a significant regional investment to improve safety and mobility.

The board heard additional transportation consent items that passed, including agreements tied to Trunk Highway 65 improvements and a parks contract to reroute a short segment of the Mississippi River Regional Trail to reduce erosion. No formal board action beyond the recognitions and consent approvals was required at the meeting.