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County Road 92 safety improvements

At Highway 12 in Independence

Hennepin County, in coordination with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the City of Independence, is making safety improvements at two locations where County Road 92 intersects with Highway 12. This project is part of several planned improvements on Highway 12 in Independence, Maple Plain and Orono. For more information, visit MnDOT's Highway 12 Corridor Safety Improvement page.

Construction began in September.

Project timeline showing planning and design phase complete. Construction is expected to begin in 2021. Major construction activities will be complete in 2022 and the entire project be complete in 2023.
 
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First construction stage began week of September 27

On Monday, September 27, we began the first construction stage for the County Road 92 safety improvements at Highway 12 project in Independence. 

This is the third and final project aimed at improving safety and reducing crashes along Highway 12. The County Road 92 project follows the recently completed County Road 90 roundabout and Highway 12 median barrier projects.   

Crews will prepare the construction area to build the new intersection and bridge. The main construction activities during this approximately one-month stage will include:

  • Excavating at various locations along the south side of Highway 12
  • Widening Highway 12 at the south leg of County Road 92 intersection
  • Tree clearing at the foundations for the new County Road 92 bridge over Highway 12

The green highlighted area in the map below shows the construction areas.  

First stage construction for the County Road 92 safety improvements at Highway 12 will include work along Highway 12 and at the County Road 92 south leg access

County Road 92 south leg access at Highway 12 to close

The location and the extent of construction activities will require us to close the south leg connection between County Road 92 and Highway 12 starting Monday. This closure is anticipated to remain in place until work is done in the area.  

All traffic will need to use the signed detour 

During the closure, all local and through traffic on County Road 92, will need to use the detour taking: 

  • Highway 12 
  • County Road 90 
  • Watertown Road (County Road 6) 

Using the signed detour will keep you from experiencing additional delays and getting frustrated. And it will help local streets stay safe for the individuals and families who live and play in the area.  

People walking, biking and rolling will need to use the detour route or other alternative routes outside of the construction zones. 

Detour route during the County Road 92 south leg access closure will use Highway 12, County Road 90 and Watertown Road (County Road 6)

Northbound and southbound detour route during the County Road 92 south leg access closure.

Highway 12 and County Road 92 north leg access open; expect work in area 

Highway 12 and the north leg of County Road 92 intersection will remain open during this construction stage.

People driving on Highway 12 can expect some lane shifts and narrowed lanes through the construction area, as there will be a lot of work happening along the shoulders and near the road.

For your safety and the safety of our crews, please exercise caution and slow down as you travel through the area.

Learn more about the County Road 92 project 

The planned improvements at County Road 92 are the result of both a collaborative engagement and design efforts between the county, the cities, MnDOT and the Highway 12 Safety Coalition.

Features of the new roadway include:

  • A new multi-lane roundabout that reduces the two intersections down to one
  • A realigned County Road 92 and bridge over Highway 12 and BNSF Railroad
  • A new County Road 92 curve and intersection at Lake Sarah Road 

We will construct the new intersection in stages to maintain as much access as possible on Highway 12 and County Road 92 users. Barring any delays, we anticipate completing all major construction activities by fall 2022.

When complete, the project will provide a better experience and enhance the safety of people driving in the area.

2021 events

County Road 92 at Highway 12 construction open house

On Wednesday, September 8, Hennepin County hosted a virtual construction open house for the County Road 92 at Highway 12 safety improvements project. At the open house, staff shared a short presentation about the planned improvements, access and impacts, timing and staging of the work. 

 

To download a copy of the presentation, select the link below.

County Road 92 safety at Highway 12 virtual open house presentation (PDF)

Highway 12 corridor safety improvements virtual open house

The Minnesota Department of Transportation hosted a virtual construction open house on March 2021.

The open house focused on sharing upcoming Spring construction on Highway 12 to include:

  • Highway 12 median barrier project between 6th Avenue (County Road 6) and Baker Park Road (County Road 29)
  • Roundabout project at the Highway 12 and County Road 90 intersection

Hennepin County staff were also in attendance to provide a brief update about the County Road 92 safety improvement project in Independence.

2020 events

Online design open house

In 2020, Hennepin County created an online resource that people could visit at any time. The county shared the final design, renderings and models of how traffic will move safer and better. Visitors learned more about:

  • A new multi-lane roundabout that reduces the two intersections down to one
  • A realigned County Road 92 and bridge over Highway 12 and BNSF Railroad
  • A new County Road 92 curve and intersection at Lake Sarah Road
  • You will also learn about next steps as we move toward final design and construction. 

County Road 92 safety improvements at Highway 12 design

2019 events

Design alternatives open house

Hennepin County, Minnesota Department of Transportation and the City of Independence hosted an open house on July 11, 2019 at Independence City Hall.

The open house focused on sharing three possible design alternatives where attendees could review, evaluate and provide feedback on each alternatives, as well as find out how to stay informed as the project moves forward, including additional opportunities to provide feedback.

MnDOT project staff were also in attendance to provide updates on Highway 12 Corridor safety improvements, which includes the County Road 90 intersection roundabout and center concrete barrier projects in Independence and Maple Plain.

2018 events

Early designs open house

Hennepin County, Minnesota Department of Transportation and the City of Independence hosted an open house for three safety improvements projects on October 2, 2018 at Independence City Hall.

The open house focused on providing residents with information of Hennepin County's County Road 92 intersection safety improvements project and MnDOT's Highway 12 and County Road 90 intersection safety improvements project.

Hennepin County

Minnesota Department of Transportation

  • Aaron Tag, P.E.
    Highway 12 corridor project manager for design
    aaron.tag@state.mn.us
    Phone: 612-234-7880 
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