Vernon Avenue Bridge replacement and intersections improvements
County Road 158 in Edina
Hennepin County, in coordination with Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of Edina, is planning to replace the Vernon Avenue Bridge (County Road 158) over the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad, improve the intersection at Interlachen Boulevard, and realign the Highway 100 off-ramp in Edina.
Hennepin County plans to replace the Vernon Avenue Bridge (County Road 158) over the Canadian Pacific (CP) railway. The bridge is nearing the end of its service life and will need replacement. In addition to replacing the bridge, we are looking at opportunities to make improvements to connecting roadways in the heart of the Grandview District.
Goals for this project are to provide a new bridge and upgraded intersections that are safer, more functional and attractive for all users. The improved area will meet present and future needs of this corridor and continue to serve the communities and visitors to the Grandview District.
Planned improvements will be at these locations on Vernon Avenue:
We launched our virtual open house so you can see the proposed designs.
When you access the site, you will learn more about how the existing bridge and connecting roadways pose safety, connectivity and delay issues. And, you will see how our initial proposed design and improvements will:
Allow for safer turning and merging at intersections for people driving
Make the bridge and intersection safer and more inviting for people walking, biking and rolling
Update the look of the bridge that complement existing designs along Vernon Avenue
You will also learn more about the design process.
Learn more about a proposed noise wall in the area
Hennepin County, the City of Edina and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are proposing to install a noise wall along the northbound Highway 100 on-ramp from Vernon Avenue as part of the Vernon Avenue Bridge replacement and intersections improvements project.
Currently, traffic noise along this identified location approaches and/or exceeds the noise level standard set by the Federal Highway Administration, and a noise wall would reduce the noise level by at least five decibels. Noise walls are solid barriers built between the highway and properties along the highway designed to reduce the noise level of vehicles.
More information about this proposed noise wall location, purpose and frequently asked questions are available in the the Highway 100 proposed noise wall (PDF).
On December 1, county and city staff held a virtual meeting to present about the proposed noise wall. At the meeting, staff shared traffic noise analysis results along the area, outline how noise walls will reduce traffic noise levels and provide location details. You can view the recording below.
Vernon Avenue noise wall survey results
Hennepin County conducted a noise analysis along Vernon Avenue and determined that a noise wall constructed along Highway 100 would benefit 12 properties in the area. Following this determination, Hennepin County sent informational flyers and ballots to these properties to solicit a vote either in favor or against the construction of a noise wall.
The first round of ballots received resulted in 10 “YES, I want the noise wall” votes and two ballots unreturned. The votes collected will result in constructing a noise wall along Highway 100 to be included in the Vernon Avenue bridge project. The next steps include additional data collection, such as site surveying and the noise wall design.