Douglas Drive Corridor Project
Project Timeline
2008-2009
City begins research and collects input at two
workshops for residents
2010
Douglas Drive Corridor Study report approved
2011
Preliminary layout design approved by Hennepin County and TLC
City holds open house for community input
2012
Preparatory work begins
2013
Douglas Drive Preliminary Project Memorandum
Public notice and opportunity for comment:
- Section 4(f) De Minimis Preliminary Determination for property at 1950 Duluth St
- Section 4(f) De Minimis Preliminary Determiation for property at 2400 Sandburg Lane
2016
Construction to begin
In July 2008, the City of Golden Valley officially began a study of its Douglas Drive corridor, which runs from Olson Memorial Hwy (Hwy 55) to Medicine Lake Rd (County Rd 70). To continue addressing suggestions identified in the Douglas Drive Corridor Study to improve driver and pedestrian safety as well as traffic efficiency, the City is partnering with Hennepin County to plan a 2016 reconstruction project that would add turn lanes, allow for shoulders and bike lanes, improve sidewalks, install street lights, and place existing above-ground utilities underground.
The project has an estimated cost of about $20 million, with Golden Valley responsible for roughly $9.5 million. Hennepin County will pay for about $10 million of the roadway work, design, and right-of-way acquisition.
Preliminary Design and Municipal Consent
In 2010, a $1,050,000 grant from Transit for Livable Communities enabled City staff to begin preliminary design work for the road project, guided by the community’s long-term vision for the Douglas Drive Corridor.
As design work began, the City analyzed each street segment and major intersection with traffic forecasts to identify safety, capacity, speed, and pedestrian issues. The resulting preliminary layout design includes accessible sidewalks on both sides of the roadway for its entire length, dedicated on-street bike lanes, and lane realignments and traffic control improvements to encourage redevelopment opportunities. The new infrastructure is designed to last another 50 years with basic maintenance.
Transit for Livable Communities and Hennepin County approved the preliminary layout design in summer 2011. In October, the City held one last open house for community input on the emerging design plans. Additional meetings will be held as the construction date gets closer.
In November 2011, the Golden Valley City Council authorized Municipal Consent for the Douglas Drive preliminary layout design, marking the transition from planning to final design. Two conditions for Municipal Consent, that staff evaluate lane and boulevard widths, have been met. Once Municipal Consent is authorized, the major design elements are set. This means the City has addressed all major design topics and can begin preparing detailed construction plans.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016, with preparatory work, such as utility relocations and right-of-way acquisitions, starting in 2012.
Franchise Fees
Golden Valley is paying for its share of the cost with Xcel Energy franchise fees. Because of levy limits on property taxes, funding this project through utility franchise fees is the most feasible payment option. The Xcel Energy franchise fee does not affect bills from CenterPoint Energy, Comcast, Qwest, or any other utility company. The costs of the reconstruction may fluctuate due to inflation and other variables over the years. The franchise fees will remain in effect until all costs can be repaid.
For more information about the Douglas Dr project or the franchise fees, call Public Works at 763-593-8030.
Past Douglas Drive Improvements
In 2010, a stretch of Douglas Dr from Golden Valley Rd to the northern City limits was resurfaced and re-striped, bringing it from four lanes to two lanes with a center turn lane.
These changes reduced turning conflicts and provided space for bike users off the sidewalks and out of traffic lanes, all issues that were identified in the City’s Douglas Dr Corridor study.
To accommodate the lane reconfigurations and some intersection improvements, Hennepin County also placed an asphalt overlay on Douglas Dr from St Croix Ave north to 51st Place in Crystal. The City of Golden Valley also sealcoated Douglas Dr between Golden Valley Rd and St Croix Ave.
