Sunset Drive reconstruction

County Road 51 in Spring Park

Hennepin County, the cities of Spring Park and Orono, and Three Rivers Park District, are working together to reconstruct Sunset Drive (County Road 51) between Spring Street and Shadywood Road (County Road 19).

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024.

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Public involvement

Share your thoughts on initial Sunset Drive designs

Hennepin County is partnering with the cities of Spring Park and Orono, as well as Three Rivers Park District, to reconstruct Sunset Drive (County Road 51) between Spring Street and Shadywood Road (County Road 19).

A reconstruction project like this allows us to replace the aging roadway and underground utilities, as well as re-envision the corridor. Our goals for this project include:

incorporating new multi-modal features focused on safety and mobility
improving traffic flow
improving connectivity by adding trail access

We are currently collecting feedback on several design options. There are two ways to get involved right now.

Explore the design options in our virtual portal
Tell us about how you use Sunset Drive by taking the project survey

Previous engagement

2023 engagement

Online open house held on Thursday, February 23

Using input from 2021 and the project goals, staff developed initial design options for Sunset Drive and shared those designs at a live online open house on February 23.

The purpose of the open house was to summarize what feedback has been gathered so far, what the initial designs look like, discuss plans for the community to provide future feedback and answer any questions attendees have on the design options presented.

Thank you to everyone who attended and heard about the design options. We appreciate your interest.

View the open house presentation slides (PDF)
Watch the video recording of the open house below

2021 engagement

Online open house held on Monday, November 15

Project staff hosted a live online open house on Monday, November 15, to share information about the project. The purpose of the open house was to hear from people who live, work, visit local businesses on Sunset Drive and use it as a connector to better understand existing concerns and needs to help inform a design that best reflects community needs.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Sunset Drive reconstruction open house. We appreciate your interest. View the recording of the open house below.

Sunset Drive open house presentation (PDF)

2021 Sunset Drive engagement summary (PDF)

Other 2021 engagement

During 2021, we connected with people who live, work and visit local businesses on Sunset Drive. We developed a four-part email series called to help people better understand the work we are undertaking. We held community pop-up events and an open house. We also shared an online comment map so you could pinpoint the challenges you experience, concerns you have and future needs of your community.

We developed initial design options for Sunset Drive using your input and feedback.

Photos of the pop-up events for Sunset Drive reconstruction

Sunset Series

Introducing the Sunset Series

Last fall, you provided us with your concerns, as well as ideas and opportunities to improve Sunset Drive (County Road 51). Your participation and feedback were great. You are truly helping us visualize a better Sunset.

Currently, project staff are taking your feedback and using project goals to develop an initial design. And, this spring, we will re-engage with you and others who use Sunset Drive to introduce the design and get your feedback.

While we are working on the initial design, we are taking an opportunity to provide you with a little more background on where we are today and what goes into getting us to initial designs through our “Sunset Series.”

Sunset Drive's sunset series graphic

Taking a closer look at four areas

The series will feature four topics that share different aspects of the project.

Every two weeks, we will highlight a topic. Messages will be shared via e-mail and social media, as well as posted to the project website. Join us as we explore the following topics:

Project information

Project overview

Hennepin County is working with the cities of Spring Park and Orono and Three Rivers Park District to redesign Sunset Drive (County Road 51) between Spring Street and Shadywood Road (County Road 19).

The existing roadway and underground utilities have not been updated for more than 50 years. The roadway lacks curbs and gutters along the corridor to provide adequate drainage. Sunset Drive in its current design is not well suited for people walking, rolling and biking, and lacks curbs and gutters needed to help manage stormwater. The best way to address this is through a road reconstruction project.

When we reconstruct Sunset Drive in 2024, we will replace the aging roadway and underground utilities, as well as add curbs and gutters. We also want to make improvements that meet present and future needs of the corridor. Changes we want to make on Sunset Drive include:

incorporating new multi-modal features focused on safety and mobility
improving traffic flow
improving connectivity by adding trail access

Project contact information

Hennepin County

Project staff

Amber Klein, P.E.
Project manager for design
amber.klein@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-596-0176

Nicole Krause
Project community liaison, Bolton and Menk
nicole.krause@bolton-menk.com

Project inquiries

transportation@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-384-8448

Media

For media requests, contact:

Colin Cox
Transportation media contact
colin.cox@hennepin.us
612-596-7426

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