Wayzata Boulevard reconstruction

Project background

Wayzata Boulevard was originally constructed as part of the state’s trunk highway system. In the mid- to late-2000s, the Minnesota Department of Transportation built the Highway 12 bypass. In 2011, MnDOT returned jurisdiction of old Highway 12 to Hennepin County as a county state aid highway. As part of that project, the roadway was overlain with bituminous to temporarily correct poor pavement surfaces. Other significant improvements of the corridor were not performed as part of MnDOT’s construction project.

A former trunk highway, the roadway was primarily designed for efficient traffic movement through the corridor, and does not adequately address many local priorities such as pedestrian mobility and safety, parking, bicycle trail connectivity, and access.

The “turn-back” of roadway jurisdiction from MnDOT to Hennepin County has allowed the county, along with the cities of Long Lake and Orono, to evaluate the roadway and identify potential improvements that deliver safe and efficient transportation while balancing the needs and desires of the local community. The county and cities are working on a design for the roadway that will serve the needs of the community.

Baseline information such as topography, soils conditions, utility information, right of way information and traffic data were gathered and analyzed by the project team. Concept designs were developed and refined based on public input for both phase 1 and phase 2 of the project.

The reconstruction is being completed in three phases.

Phase 1 reconstruction – Willow Drive to Wolf Pointe Trail

This project was completed in 2018.

View the Phase 1 design layout (PDF)

Phase 2 reconstruction – Wolf Pointe Trail to Highway 12 ramps

The project was completed in 2019.

View the Phase 2 design layout (PDF)

Phase 3 reconstruction – East of County Road 6 to Willow Drive

This project will be completed in 2024

View the Phase 3 design layout (PDF)

Project improvements

For people driving and using transit

• New roadway with shared turn lanes to improve traffic flow and safety
• New signals with flashing yellow arrows
• Road modifications to encourage lower vehicle speeds

For people walking, biking and rolling

• New trails connecting Luce Line Trail and Wayzata Boulevard
• New safer trail crossing at Heather Lane
• Improved accessibility for people with disabilities, including ADA-compliant pedestrian curb ramps and audible signals for safer crossings
• New street lighting for better visibility

For the benefit of the community

• Addition of curbs and gutters and new catch basins
• Converting some paved areas to green space
• Improved storm water management
• Updated utilities

The corridor supports local and regional economic development, services Hennepin County commuters, and provides local users with access to residences, businesses and schools.

Throughout the four-mile-long corridor, the character of the roadway changes significantly between residential, business/commercial, industrial, and agricultural/rural adjacent land uses. Different approaches will be required to meet each area’s unique priorities. The project team is working to identify distinct roadway segments and address each section’s priorities.

The reconstruction project is addressing deteriorating pavement, updating utilities and making improvements for drainage and storm water management.

The result will be a safer, more livable and welcoming road, with the following features:

• New pavement for a smoother ride
• Restored and improved Long Lake shoreline
• New shared turn lanes to improve traffic flow
• New street lighting for better visibility
• New sidewalks and trails with a boulevard buffer
• Safer pedestrian and trail crossings
• Improved accessibility for people with disabilities

Phase 1 design and construction

Phase 1 includes Wayzata Boulevard between Willow Drive and Wolf Pointe Trail.

Construction open houses

Construction open houses were hosted on March 23, 2017 and April 3, 2018 to provide the public with information on the two scheduled construction seasons on Wayzata Boulevard.

• April 2018 open house project overview (PDF)
• March 2017 open house project overview (PDF)

Design project advisory committee meetings

The project team collaborated with city staffs, policymakers, a city-appointed Project Advisory Committee members and directly with the public through a series of project open houses and small group meetings. The team was able to identify community priorities and incorporate elements into the design that balance the efficient transportation of vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles with safety, convenience and the costs of construction and ongoing maintenance.

• September 16, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• August 19, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• July 15, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• June 17, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• May 20, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• April 15, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• March 18, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• February 18, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• January 21, 2015 meeting record (PDF)
• December 17, 2014 meeting record (PDF)
• November 19, 2014 meeting record (PDF)

Planning and design open houses

Open houses and meetings were hosted from 2012 to 2015 to discuss design concepts and layouts for improvements along Wayzata Boulevard between Willow Drive and Wolf Pointe Trail.

• November 2015 open house invite (PDF)
• November 2015 staging map (PDF 14MB)
• November 2015 handouts (PDF 10MB)
• April 2015 open house handouts (PDF)
• July 2013 open house handouts (PDF)
• March 2013 open house handouts (PDF)
• April 2012 open house handouts (PDF)

Other materials

• County Road 112 reconstruction water resource report – June 2016 (PDF)
• Phase 1 temporary bypass preliminary staging matrix – August 2015 (PDF)
• County Road 112 reconstruction traffic study – January 2013 (PDF)

Phase 2 design and construction

Phase 2 includes Wayzata Boulevard between Wolf Pointe Trail and Highway 12 ramps.

Construction open houses

A construction open house was hosted on April 3, 2018 to provide the public with information on the upcoming Phase 2 construction on Wayzata Boulevard.

• April 2018 open house project overview (PDF)

Design project advisory committee meetings

The project team collaborated with city staffs, policymakers, a city-appointed Project Advisory Committee members and directly with the public through a series of project open houses and small group meetings. The team was able to identify community priorities and incorporate elements into the design that balance the efficient transportation of vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles with safety, convenience and the costs of construction and ongoing maintenance.

• PAC meeting minutes – July 2016 (PDF)
• PAC meeting minutes – September 2016 (PDF)
• PAC meeting minutes – November 2016 (PDF)

Planning and design open houses

An open house was hosted in 2016 to discuss design concepts and layouts for improvements along Wayzata Boulevard between Wolf Pointe Trail and Highway 12 ramps. Hennepin County has hosted two open houses for phase 2.

• October 2016 open house graphics (PDF)
• October 2016 open house invite (PDF)

Phase 3 design

Phase 3 includes Wayzata Boulevard east of County Road 6 to Willow Drive.

• Phase 3 preliminary layout (PDF 10MB)

Hennepin County

• Jay Hill, P.E. LS
  Civil engineer
  jay.hill@hennepin.us
  Phone: 612-842-9469