Remakes on Minnehaha, Washington avenues highlight Hennepin County road construction projects

Rebuilding a long swath of Minnehaha Avenue and a repaving project that will slim parts of Washington Avenue in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood from two travel lanes in each direction to one are among $86 million in construction planned on Hennepin County roads this summer.

Work has already started other high-profile projects, including the rebuilding of Lake Drive in Robbinsdale (pictured) where diggers were removing pavement Monday morning just feet from where county officials outlined plans for the 2015 construction season.

"I live not to far from here, and as you look around I am living in a construction zone like many folks living in Hennepin County will be this construction season," said Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat, who lives in Robbinsdale. "While destruction and detours are a little painful and little difficult, better roads, trails, sidewalks and lighting make it worth it at the end of the project."

Over the next six months, the county's publics works crews will repave 140 lane miles of roads, update 300 pedestrian access ramps at intersections, install LED lights at 45 signalized intersections and re-time 73 lights to improve traffic flow.

Money collected through the relatively new wheelage tax, a $10 surcharge on vehicles registered in Hennepin County, crews will be able to tackle a backlog of projects, said Harlan Hanson from the county's construction division.

That includes patching potholes, repainting lane markings and replacing signs.

Here is a rundown on the seven major projects on tap for 2015:

In 2016, the bridge will be completely closed to replace the bridge deck.

Start date: Late-April 2015

Completion date: June 2017
2015 estimated cost: $21,500,000
Total project cost: $43,097,947
Project webpage

Crews will reconstruct the road from Victory Memorial Parkway to Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81). This work includes utility improvements, grading, paving, and new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of the street. The road is currently closed to through traffic, with a detour.

Start date: May 2014
Completion date: Spring 2016
2015 estimated cost: $4,700,000
Total project cost: $10,158,200
Project webpage

Start date: Mid-April 2015
Completion date: November 2016
2015 estimated cost: $7,700,000
Total project cost: $15,479,837
Project webpage

Crews will reconstruct the road from Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3) to Highway 7. Improvements include adding a travel lane in each direction, a sidewalk on the west side of the road and a multipurpose trail on the east side of the road. Crews will also realign the intersection at Highway 7 and improve storm water drainage to address flooding issues in the area.

Start date: June 2014
Completion date: Fall 2015
2015 estimated cost: $8,500,000
Total project cost: $12,797,231
Project webpage

Crews will reconstruct the road from Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road 5) to Highway 12. Improvements include grading and resurfacing, updating utilities, adding trails/sidewalks, improving lighting and landscaping.

Start date: Fall 2014
Completion date: Fall 2016
2015 estimated cost: $20,000,000
Total project cost: $41,489,98
Project webpage

Start date: April 2015
Completion date: November 2016
2015 estimated cost: $8,000,000
Total project cost: $15,599,077
Project webpage

Crews will resurface and repaint the lane markings from Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue. This will increase the safety and well-being for all road users. Plans include changing parts of the road to one lane of travel in each direction and a center continuous left turn lane and adding bike lanes.