The opening of the eastbound Interstate 494 Wakota Bridge in the southeast Twin Cities Metro Area tops a list of 51 state highway and bridge projects totaling $113.37 million that the Minnesota Department of Transportation has completed so far this year.

“We are halfway through the largest road construction program in our state’s history and dozens of completed projects around the state already are helping to lessen congestion, improve safety and provide a more efficient commute for motorists,” said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel in a written statement.

The opening of the eastbound Interstate 494 Wakota Bridge in the southeast Twin Cities Metro Area tops a list of 51 state highway and bridge projects totaling $113.37 million that the Minnesota Department of Transportation has completed so far this year.

 Completed highway projects in the Twin Cities

• Construction of eastbound I-494 Wakota Bridge. All major work has been completed. ($60.3 million)   
• Turn lane construction and signal installation on Highway 95 in Lake Elmo, Woodbury and Afton. ($2.3 million)
• Road resurfacing and bridge deck repairs on Highway 52 and Highway 55 in Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount. ($3.69 million) 
• Cable median barrier installation on I-35E, Highway 77, Highway 55 and Highway 13. ($1.75 million) 
• Accessibility improvements including curbs, sidewalks and a pedestrian crossing on Highway 5 and Highway 61 in St. Paul. ($745,000)

 Completed highway projects in northern and central Minnesota

• Road resurfacing and drainage repair on Highway 2 in St. Louis County. ($3.65 million)
• Road resurfacing on Highway 10 in Moorhead and Dilworth. ($2.47 million)
• Total road reconstruction of Highway 53/Miller Hill corridor area in Duluth. ($2.5 million)
• Road resurfacing and shoulder repairs on Highway 2 and Highway 32 near Erskine. ($1.7 million) 
• Road resurfacing and accessibility improvements including sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Highway 84 in Pine River. ($310,000)

 Completed projects in southern Minnesota

• Road resurfacing on southbound I-35 in Steele County. ($3.72 million)
• Chevron and curve sign installation on 50 curves throughout southeastern Minnesota. ($56,577)
• Road resurfacing on Highway 30 in Mapleton. This project was a joint effort between Mn/DOT and the city of Mapleton. (Mn/DOT share: $2.6 million)
• Sidewalk construction and landscaping on Highway 169 through downtown St. Peter. ($991,000) This work is part of a two-year $16.5 million project.
• Road resurfacing on Highway 7 near Cosmos. ($2.9 million)

Work continues on several other projects around the state, including high-profile projects such as the I-35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons project — scheduled for completion this fall — and the I-35 Mega Project in Duluth, as well as several safety-oriented projects.

For a complete list of recently completed projects, go to http://www.dot.state.mn.us/pdfs/2010-mid-season.pdf ^[1].

“We are halfway through the largest road construction program in our state’s history and dozens of completed projects around the state already are helping to lessen congestion, improve safety and provide a more efficient commute for motorists,” said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel.

“With a large construction program comes a lot of work zones across the state that sometimes make travelling a challenge,” he said. “We appreciate motorists’ patience and caution as they drive through these construction zones. It’s a short-term inconvenience for a long-term payoff of a smoother, safer ride.”

Completed projects in the Twin Cities

• Construction of eastbound I-494 Wakota Bridge. All major work has been completed. ($60.3 million)  
• Turn lane construction and signal installation on Highway 95 in Lake Elmo, Woodbury and Afton. ($2.3 million)
• Road resurfacing and bridge deck repairs on Highway 52 and Highway 55 in Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount. ($3.69 million)
• Cable median barrier installation on I-35E, Highway 77, Highway 55 and Highway 13. ($1.75 million)
• Accessibility improvements including curbs, sidewalks and a pedestrian crossing on Highway 5 and Highway 61 in St. Paul. ($745,000)

Completed projects in northern and central Minnesota

• Road resurfacing and drainage repair on Highway 2 in St. Louis County. ($3.65 million)
• Road resurfacing on Highway 10 in Moorhead and Dilworth. ($2.47 million)
• Total road reconstruction of Highway 53/Miller Hill corridor area in Duluth. ($2.5 million)
• Road resurfacing and shoulder repairs on Highway 2 and Highway 32 near Erskine. ($1.7 million) 
• Road resurfacing and accessibility improvements including sidewalks and pedestrian ramps on Highway 84 in Pine River. ($310,000)

 Completed highway projects in southern Minnesota

• Road resurfacing on southbound I-35 in Steele County. ($3.72 million)
• Chevron and curve sign installation on 50 curves throughout southeastern Minnesota. ($56,577)
• Road resurfacing on Highway 30 in Mapleton. This project was a joint effort between Mn/DOT and the city of Mapleton. (Mn/DOT share: $2.6 million)
• Sidewalk construction and landscaping on Highway 169 through downtown St. Peter. ($991,000) This work is part of a two-year $16.5 million project.
• Road resurfacing on Highway 7 near Cosmos. ($2.9 million)

 Work continues on several other projects around the state, including high-profile projects such as the I-35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons project — scheduled for completion this fall — and the I-35 Mega Project in Duluth, as well as several safety-oriented projects.

For a complete list of recently completed projects, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/pdfs/2010-mid-season.pdf ^[1].