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The state transportation department has finally approved the proposed layout for Highway 8 reconstruction.  Chisago County Engineer Joe Triplett is now making the rounds  connecting with affected cities presenting the issues and asking for resolutions of approval for preliminary design.  Triplett says the early approvals are needed to get the ball rolling on final design, as soon as the environmental review and analysis is complete, which will be a couple months yet.  A couple of species of turtles and bats, are being scrutinized for their endangered or threatened status and this could impact construction work areas and practices.

Triplett said this preliminary city approval, which he got last week from Wyoming City Council,  will allow right-of-way agents to start talks with property owners.  Triplett said some are fully cooperative and willing sellers— but for other parcels there will be challenges. “Over the years (we’ve) learned there are ways to accomodate what owners want with what MnDOT wants” he remarked.

Triplett said he’ll bring the presentation to Chisago City later this month for a council approval resolution related to layout within Chisago City borders.
Highway 8 has been the subject of a multi-year design process being spearheaded by Chisago County, in concert with Washington County.
The project efforts over the years have included searching out and applying for revenue sources, including federal and state monies.  The efforts thus far have netted $38.12 million, Triplett reports.  

As with everything—inflation continues to add to costs. The capacity and safety improvements for Hwy. 8 are now estimated close to $70 or $80 million.
The area being addressed runs from I-35Forest Lake/ Wyoming eastward to Karmel Avenue in Chisago City.  Hazardous existing intersections are being eliminated, with travel and turn lanes added.

The county anticipates additional funds from sources like the Corridors of Commerce program, which looks  fruitful because it aids local needs and MnDOT is disallowed from submitting projects for this pot of money. Triplett says these awardees will be announced in May.

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE application (U.S. Dept. of Transportation) will go in again for reconsideration in the next cycle. Triplett mentioned that competition was fierce in the last round in which Hwy 8 was unsuccessful.  There were 900 projects applying and 200 were approved.

~ In Wyoming the “final preliminary” approved layout involves a new intersection at Hale Avenue.  There’s a new alignment for Heath.  Hamlet becomes a backage road which travels behind existing highway residences.

Where parcels can be connected via frontage roads this is being pursued as direct driveway entries are being cut-off, but due to wetland and soft soils in some areas the connections will be further back from highway surfaces.

City Enegineer Mark Erichson complimented Triplett and said there are no major concerns affecting Wyoming and should be no disruptions in the city’s infrastructure project planning. The team has been “very open to our feedback” said Erichson, adding this reconstruction design process has left the city “pleased and satisfied.”

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