MnDOT to begin construction on Hwy. 36 at Hilton Trail

Work on the Hwy 36./Hilton Trail interchange reconstruction project is scheduled to start Monday, March 18.

Among the changes are the replacement of the signalized intersection near Interstate 694 with a grade-separated diamond interchange. In addition, the Hwy. 36/Demontreville Trail intersection will be converted to a three-quarter intersection, and a reduced conflict intersection will be built just east of the junction. The median crossing at the Highlands Trail intersection will be closed, and the north frontage road (60th Street) will be extended over the Gateway Trail.

This project should improve safety and efficiency on Hwy 36, Hilton Trail, Highlands Trail and Demontreville Trail, while reducing the amount of traffic traveling through residential areas.

Most of the project is expected to be complete by mid-November.

For more information, visit the project's website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy36pinesprings/

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, issued a permit to the Minnesota Department of Transportation MnDOT) on March 8 to complete the St. Croix River bridge project at Oak Park Heights.

The Corps' permit includes two authorizations under the Rivers and Harbors Act and the Clean Water Act. The project includes building a four-lane highway across the river.

The St. Paul District regulates structures and work in navigable waters of the United States. The district oversees environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

MnDOT will have to secure 39 permits, approvals and other required documents to move forward with the bridge project. Nearly all of them have been completed.

"My Brain Made Me Do It," a seminar that presents simple strategies for avoiding common investing mistakes, will be held at 6 p.m. on March 26 at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Oakdale. Eric Rislove of Edward Jones will conduct the seminar, developed in conjunction with John Hancock Funds.

For many people, emotions influence decisionmaking, causing them to forget their long-term goals and make quick decisions regarding investments, Rislove said. The seminar will address six common investing mistakes, he said. Call 651-578-6932 to register or to receive more information.

Jim Ryder has traveled by dog sled around the world, and visitors can hear his tales of adventure about his trip to Hudson Bay on Sat.,March 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the Nordic Center Trailhead at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Ryder, a Wisconsin native, journeyed solo by dog team 750 miles across Ontario, Canada, from Fort Severn to Moosonee. Carrying all provisions for himself and his dogs in a 12-foot freight sled weighing more than 1,500 pounds at the start, Ryder passed through only three Cree Indian villages on the entire trip. He'll share stories and images and answer questions about his adventure, including how he kept warm and well-fed. Much of the gear he used to travel will be on display.

The family event is free with a valid vehicle park permit.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 one mile north of Interstate 94 in Lake Elmo. For program information, trail maps, and directions, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks.

A public workshop concerning transit options being considered in the Red Rock Corridor is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Paul Park City Hall, 600 Portland Av.

Many changes have taken place in the Red Rock Corridor since the initial study was completed in 2007. An effort to update that project with recent land use and census and ridership data is ongoing. Commuter rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and express bus service are being re-evaluated for potential short- and long-term use in the corridor.

Public participation at this workshop will help identify characteristics for future service. Activities will include a presentation of project history and an overview of alternatives under consideration.

The Red Rock Corridor runs from Red Wing through Hastings, Cottage Grove, Newport and Lower Afton before connecting to St. Paul's Union Depot Station and on to downtown Minneapolis.

Anyone who cannot attend the public meeting but would like to comment can fill out a short survey at http://RedRockAAU-1.questionpro.com.

More information about this project is available at www.redrockcorridor.org.

The Suicide Prevention Collaborative of the east metro area will be co-sponsoring its third annual community event "Optimizing Mental Health of All Our Youth" 6-9 p.m. April 4 at Woodbury High School.

The event features a mental health and wellness resource fair and teen poster contest from 6-7 p.m., followed by a speaker from 7-8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Professor Nimi Singh from the University of Minnesota's Department of Adolescent Health is the featured speaker. Community questions will be taken from 8:30-9 p.m.

Co-sponsors include Central and Priority Pediatrics, Youth Service Bureau, Prairie Care, Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment, Sentier Psychotherapy, Counseling Psychologists of Woodbury, and Penticoff Community Counseling.

For more information on the event and poster contest, see www.suicidepreventioncollaborativemn.org.

Representatives from local historical organizations and sites can apply for a display table at "History in Your Backyard" from noon to 3 p.m. April 7 at the Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.

The event is designed to bring together in one location stories and people regarding history in Washington County. This is a free family event and no fee is charged for organizations that participate.

In addition to learning about local history, guests can tour the old county jail, view an exhibit on the history of high school athletics in Washington County, and hear a program on an historical topic. Children's activities and games also will be available.

For more information about "History in Your Backyard" call 651-275-7075, see www.co.washington.mn.us/hc or e-mail historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us.

The Historic Courthouse is at 101 W. Pine St. in Stillwater.

State Rep. Dan Schoen, DFL-Cottage Grove, has been appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.

The Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board was established in 1995 by the state Legislature, and consists of 15 members appointed by the governor, in addition to the commissioner of health, the commissioner of public safety, a state representative and a state senator.

According to the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board's website, the board's mission is "to protect the public's health and safety through regulation and support of the EMS system." The board's duties include licensing ambulance services, certifying emergency medical personnel and approving emergency medical services training programs.

Kevin Giles, jim anderson