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Dellwood eyes Hwy 244 turnback; engineer estimates about $11.5 million cost
Summary
Council members discussed MnDOT negotiations after Dellwood was reinstated as eligible for a turnback of Hwy 244; City Engineer Cara Geheren said the work should include 11-foot lanes, curbs, gutters and sidewalk and estimated the cost at about $11.5 million. Councilors will meet with MnDOT to advance talks.
Dellwood — At its March 11 meeting the City Council discussed advancing negotiations with MnDOT to take over (turnback) Highway 244 after the city was reinstated as eligible for the transfer. Council Member Greg Boosalis said he had been in contact with Representative Patti Anderson and reported the city’s renewed eligibility for a turnback of Hwy 244 to Dellwood.
City Engineer Cara Geheren told the Council the city needs to identify maintenance and capital improvement costs before finalizing terms with MnDOT. “The roadway should have 11-foot wide lanes, curbs and gutters, and a sidewalk,” Geheren said, adding that those features are essential for proper runoff and long-term pavement performance. She estimated the roadway work would be “about $11.5 Million.”
Geheren said parking lanes should not be included in the recommended design and that the existing pavement is in very poor condition. The Council noted the possibility of a roundabout at the Hwy 96/244 intersection as part of broader planning for the corridor.
Council Member Melissa Peltier flagged a local concern about removing parking lanes, saying that decision could create problems for residents whose properties abut the road. Peltier also said resident feedback to a recent city letter shows many residents oppose detaching the Hwy 244 right-of-way from Dellwood.
Mayor McGill proposed, and Peltier and Boosalis agreed, that Peltier and Boosalis meet in person with MnDOT officials to discuss staging, funding and design details and report back to the full council. The meeting is the next procedural step; no binding agreement was approved at the March 11 session.
