Overview
Anoka County received a Local Road Improvement Program grant to fund a portion of the realignment and reconstruction of West Freeway Drive, north of Lake Drive (CSAH 23), which is a city roadway under the jurisdiction of City of Columbus. In addition, the City of Columbus has received funding through the State Park Road Account to fund road improvements for the access into the DNR’s Lamprey Pass Wildlife Management Area (LPWMA). Recent county and MnDOT geometric improvements on Lake Drive and TH 97 have changed the existing West Freeway Drive access to a right-in/right-out only.
This project will involve relocating West Freeway Drive (CSAH 54) across currently owned City of Columbus property to the north leg of the Lake Drive / West Freeway Drive roundabout. The roadway is approximately 4,100 feet long and terminates at a parking area at the LPWMA. Improvements will include reconstruction of West Freeway Drive to an urban roadway section (concrete curb and gutter and bituminous pavement surface) from Lake Drive to the entrance of the LPWMA property. The LPWMA access north of the property line would be improved to a rural roadway section for approximately 1,800 feet to a bituminous paved surface with gravel shoulders.
Preliminary Schedule & Impacts
Late Fall 2022 (Stage 1) – Contractor will begin with clearing and grubbing of the project area and begin earthwork operations including de-mucking and excavating ditches and pond.
Winter Suspension
Spring/Summer 2023 (Stage 2) – Road construction continues with the construction of storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermain. Contractor to establish roadway base and will place curb and gutter and pave bituminous roadway.