Highway 61

About this project

Hwy 61, between I-694 in Vadnais Heights and 2nd St. in White Bear Lake, is a vital regional highway supporting daily commuters, freight movement and visitors traveling to local businesses. Approximately 30,000 vehicles travel the road daily. Today, this four-lane rural highway faces high crash rates at I-694 due to insufficient capacity in the left turn lanes and has poor pavement and signal systems throughout the area. Replacement of pavement, and building a second left turn lane from northbound Hwy 61 to I-694 will improve safety, reliability and overall transportation efficiency. Signal systems at both I-694 ramps and 2nd St. also will be replaced. A new trail also will be constructed along southbound Hwy 61 between Buerkle St. and Co. Rd. D Court near the I-694 and Hwy 61 interchange.

Summary of work

• Reconstruct concrete mainline pavement on Hwy 61 between Co. Rd. D and Buerkle Rd.
• Construct dual left turn lane for northbound Hwy 61 to westbound I-694
• Replace the signal systems at the Hwy 61 interchange with I-694 and intersection with 2nd St.
• Upgrade sidewalks/trails on the west side of Hwy 61 from Co. Rd. D Ct. to Buerkle St. to meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards
• Improve the sidewalk at Hwy 61 and 2nd St. to meet ADA standards
  

Traffic impacts

All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.

Upcoming

Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be provided as details become available. Motorists can expect road, bridge, lane, ramp and trail closures with detours during construction. Hwy 61 will be closed at I-694 for the duration of the project. Hwy 61 and I-694 ramps will be closed in alternative stages so that access remains to/from I-694 in some capacity. Access to 2nd St. from Hwy 61 will be closed during the signal replacement. There will also be additional short-term lane closures and detours at Buerkle Rd. and 2nd St. to complete ADA and curb improvements.