FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/06/2015
Contact: Kayla Bromelkamp, Communications, 612-348-8536 Website: www.hennepin.us/media/construction
News release
Repaving
projects, bridge work, enhancements to traffic signal systems, improvements for
bicyclists and pedestrians and several other major projects are all part of Hennepin
County’s $86 million plans to improve the county transportation system this
year.
“There
will be construction and maintenance happening all across the county,” said
Commissioner Mike Opat, chair of the public works committee. “We are making
significant improvements on our transportation network in 2015.”
Major
projects include:
In
addition to major projects, the county has dozens of other maintenance and
system upgrade projects. These additional projects include:
- Repave more than 90 miles in 18 locations across the county to provide a smoother ride for drivers
- Update more than 300
pedestrian ramps to improve accessibility for individuals with
disabilities.
- Convert 45 traffic signals
from incandescent to light emitting diodes (LEDs). When this work is
complete, all county traffic signals will use LED lights. Switching to
LEDs provides operating cost savings of up to 60 percent for
municipalities and will eliminate the annual relamping program, resulting
in long-term maintenance cost savings.
-
Synchronize 73 traffic
signals to improve travel through targeted corridors. Optimizing signals
reduces vehicle stops and delays for motorists. A recent study shows the
cost benefit for optimizing signals is 84 to 1 when looking at decreasing
numbers of stops, delays and fuel consumption.
Even with the significant investment to improve the county
transportation system, the county transportation infrastructure is still aging.
Roughly one third of Hennepin County’s system is more than 50 years old, requiring
an estimated $1.4 billion to replace.
In addition to Hennepin County funds, most projects include
some funding from other sources, such as they city where a project is located,
federal, state or Metropolitan Council.
Stay informed
All active projects are posted on our interactive
transportation system map. The map has real-time information about major
projects, maintenance efforts that may impact traffic, as well as emergency
incidents like floods. Transportation
map.
Subscribe to email or text message notifications about the
county transportation network. Choose notifications about all roads, one
particular road, or all county roads within a particular city. Click
here to subscribe.
Work zone safety
With
added construction activity on the road it is a good time to remember to slow
down and pay attention in work zones. Stay alert in work areas and dedicate
your full attention to driving. Minimize distractions while driving through a
work zone. For more tips visit the Minnesota Department of
Transportation website.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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