TH 212 Design-Build Oversight, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Carver, and Dahlgren

The Hwy 212 project has a long history dating back to the 1950’s. As with most major highway projects, that history has been marked by periods of intense activity and dormancy, colored by both strong advocates and strong opponents, and guided by many changes in funding, regulatory requirements and public opinion. The necessary environmental documents were approved in the early 1990s and construction was completed on Stage 1, from I-494 to County Road (CR) 4, in 2001. ZRC was selected as the D-B contractor in March 2005. Construction is scheduled for completion in October 2008.

The Hwy 212 D-B project includes the construction of 11.75 miles of four-lane grade-separated highway from Hennepin CR 4 to Carver CR 147. The project includes seven new interchanges at CR 4, Dell Rd, TH 101, Powers Blvd, TH 41 and Engler Blvd, and CR 147. Overpass bridges will also be construct at Lyman Blvd, Audubon Rd, Bavaria Rd, CR 140 and Pioneer (CSAH 14). The project includes the construction of noise berms, noise walls, an expanded trails system, aesthetic design features, and many other features.

The new Hwy 212 will be a freeway serving the southwestern portion of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and beyond. It will provide a commuter route between suburban residential areas and the I-494 urban ring route, connecting employment areas of the greater metropolitan area. It will also serve as a link between the metropolitan area and rural areas to the west. New TH 212 will significantly relieve the traffic congestion that exists along several parallel routes such as old TH 212, Pioneer Trail and TH 5.

There are many residents, businesses, and travelers along the Hwy 212 corridor that will be affected by construction. Providing information to these stakeholders and, when necessary, addressing their issues and concerns, is a critical element of the Hwy 212 PIP.

The purpose of the new Hwy 212 is to improve traffic safety, improve capacity, decrease congestion, and create a vital link between the Twin Cities and western Minnesota and South Dakota.

Client: Mn/DOT
Completion Date: Fall 2008
Team: WSB & Associates, Inc. and DMJM Harris