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Arden Hills updates road and utility projects; council urges tree replacement along Highway 96
Summary
Public Works Director David Swearingen briefed the council on completed ADA work, upcoming pavement rehabilitation, Xcel projects, and the 2026 PMP; councilmembers pressed for 1:1 tree replacements after Xcel removed trees on Highway 96 and the mayor asked staff to report on the tree replacement fund balance.
Public Works Director and City Engineer David Swearingen told the council that Ramsey County’s ADA work on County Road E and New Brighton Road has been completed and that pavement rehabilitation work will begin shortly. He said MnDOT has reduced traffic to single lanes on Snelling Avenue between Highway 36 and Gray Fox Road and directed residents to MnDOT’s website for updates.
Swearingen reported that Xcel Energy is on site for the city’s 2026 pavement management (PMP) project and that water‑main improvements and hard‑court and ADA work at Arden Manor Park and Arden Oaks Park are underway; the city planned an informational open house for May 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Councilmember Emily Rousseau and Councilmember Kurt Weber expressed disappointment about trees removed by Xcel along Highway 96. Swearingen said he would coordinate with Community Development and anticipates a 1:1 replacement. Weber asked whether the city has a caliper‑inch replacement program; Swearingen said he would check relevant code provisions. Mayor David Grant suggested using the tree replacement fund to plant more trees and asked staff to report back on the fund balance at a future meeting.
Swearingen also described a separate Xcel gas project affecting Highway 96 traffic; no specific dates for extended closures were provided at the meeting.
