Within the next few weeks, Hennepin County will begin rebuilding a long segment of 66th Street in Richfield, and it's likely to bring traffic hassles for at least two construction seasons.
The county and the city are teaming up to reconstruct the major east-west thoroughfare between Xerxes Avenue and 16th Street starting this spring and wrapping up in the spring of 2019.
An open house to present project plans will be held Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Richfield Municipal Center, 6700 Portland Avenue S. Though there is no official presentation, representatives will be on hand to answer questions.
This year's work will be concentrated in the segments between Xerxes and Humboldt avenues and Oakland and 16th avenues.
County officials say that at least one traffic lane in each direction will remain open during construction, there may be some full short-term closures. Motorists are advised to use Crosstown Hwy. 62 to bypass the construction zone. Metro Transit routes 515 and 558 will be detoured to nearby streets.
What will be done? in an effort to build a road that will be "safer, more livable and welcoming," crews will be replacing traffic signals at key intersections, putting in roundabouts at Lyndale and Nicollet avenues, adding bike lanes and pedestrian facilities, curb cuts and better left turn lanes. The project also will repair deteriorating pavement and address utility and drainage concerns, and storm water quality conditions
