I-494 Auxillary Lane Up for Council Approval Tuesday

With summer approaching, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is preparing for multiple projects on the I-494 strip passing through Richfield.

However, before construction can begin, MnDOT needs city approval, with the first proposal on the dockett being a westbound auxilary lane from I-35W to Highway 100.

, with the other lane running between Portland and Nicollet Avenues. MnDOT hopes the lanes will ease traffic congestion in one of the most backed-up areas in the metro. Construction on both lanes is expected to begin this summer.

. Now it's up to the Richfield City Council to approve the resolution for the first lane Tuesday night during its regular meeting.

Other projects include the replacement of the Xerxes Avenue Bridge, building a soundwall (if necessary) along the north side of the interstate between Penn and Xerxes avenues, and eventually resurfacing the entire roadway from 34th Avenue and Highway 100.

For more details on the council meeting, see the attached PDF of the full council agenda. The council will meet for a special work session to discuss two items at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Barthlomew Conference Room at . The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in council chambers.