TH 610 Additional Access

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Additional Background Information:

Preliminary Research and Plans

For many years, the City of Coon Rapids has sought to provide additional access to Trunk Highway (TH) 610 near Coon Rapids Boulevard. Currently, only westbound on-ramps and eastbound off-ramps to and from TH 610 exist at both East River Road and Coon Rapids Boulevard. Research has been underway for several years and preliminary plans are being considered. No formal plans have been approved.

• Read more about the history and the preliminary plans in this resident letter sent in late March 2019 to nearby properties
• See the 2019 preliminary design map (PDF)
• See the 2011 design plan (PDF) that did not meet the criteria of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)/Metropolitan Council Interchange Review Committee

Questions can be directed to Tim Himmer, Public Works Director, at 763-767-6494 or email Tim Himmer.

2-24-22
Virtual open house #4 launched.

1-11-22
Work session with local elected officials was held to discuss progress to date and provide input on the preferred alternative.

12-15-21
Open house #3 was held in person. Two refined alternatives were presented for public review.

September 2021
The project team performed a technical review of each alternative to determine which layouts were constructible.

8-31-21
Open house #2 was held in person. Three alternative designs for the interchange were presented.

7-30-21
Open house #1 launched virtually.

Update 6-10-21
Starting on Monday, June 14 through approximately Friday, July 2, the City’s engineering consultant will be in the area performing field work and collecting data that is needed for design development. Work will include survey crews, UAV (drone) flights, and wetland delineations. The UAVs are being flown to collect aerial imagery and topographic features of the potential project area. The first public open house to review project alternatives will occur in late summer, and additional details will be posted as soon as a date is set.

Update 5-18-21
On May 4, 2021, the City Council awarded a consulting contract to begin the environmental documentation and design phase of the Highway 610/East River Road full access interchange, and work on this project will advance immediately. The over-arching goal of the City and project partners is to improve access and mobility to/from Highway 610. 

The process will begin by gathering data that will be used to investigate and develop interchange alternatives. Survey crews may be seen in the project area over the next couple of months. There will also be public engagement opportunities taking place, including open houses in the summer and fall, to present interchange options and allow for public input as we work toward a preferred interchange layout. This design process will last approximately two years, but the City is striving for a MnDOT-approved layout in March of 2022 in order to begin developing a funding package for construction.

Update 1-5-21
The TH 610 project receives 1.5 million in state bonding funds for preliminary design work. Read more here.

Update 4-23-20
The Coon Rapids City Council approved an application for a Roadway Expansion Grant through the Metropolitan Council’s 2020 Regional Solicitation program to the Transportation Advisory Board. Future next steps on the (TH) 610 project will be dependent upon if funds are received through the state bonding funding or this regional solicitation program grant.

If funding for preliminary design and environmental documentation comes through from one of these sources (State Bonding or Regional Solicitation program), then there would be open house events and other opportunities for public input about this project. Construction, if the project were to be approved, would not occur for several years (current estimation to be 2024 or 2025).

Update 3-31-20
The City of Coon Rapids and Anoka County has requested $1.5 million in the 2020 legislative session for the preliminary design and environmental documentation of a full access interchange for Trunk Highway (TH) 610 at East River Road. Future next steps will be dependent upon the outcome of the 2020 legislative session.

Update 9-5-19
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has now agreed that certain design standards for the proposed access interchange at East River Road meet the criteria required by the Interchange Review Committee. Read the letter from MNDOT here.