With the planned closure of a section of Highway 36 this spring, the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District has begun making its arrangements for a safe construction season.
The closure, which will stretch from White Bear Avenue at the west end to Century Avenue (Highway 120) at the east end, will mean changes in bussing routes during the construction period. Although no definite closure date has been set, construction could start as early as April 1, but no later than May 15 and the roadway is slated to close no later than May 1. Highway 36 is expected to reopen to traffic sometime in September.
When completed, the reconstruction of Highway 36 will include: a diamond interchange at Hwy. 36 and McKnight Road (County Highway 68); a bridge to carry traffic on Margaret Street over Hwy. 36; and a pedestrian bridge over the highway to enhance safety for users of the Gateway Trail. The project will also eliminate six “at-grade” intersections at Charles Street, Margaret Street, 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street and McKnight Road. Mn/DOT also plans to build auxiliary lanes for east and westbound Hwy. 36 between White Bear Avenue and McKnight Road and add a frontage road from McKnight Road to 1st Street.
Work on the Gateway Trail will also include constructing a tunnel for the trail at Margaret Street. The Gateway Trail will remain open during construction with a detour.
The goal of the project is to increase safety and improve access through Maplewood and North St. Paul.
Highway 36 will be completely closed during construction, with north-south crossings open only at Century Avenue and McKnight Road.
Because this project will begin during the school year, the district has planned alternate bus routes in preparation for the closure. And because the closure will mean longer and potentially unsafe walking routes for some North High School students, an additional bus route will be added to safely transport students living in the neighborhood directly south of Hwy. 36. All students affected by bussing changes will be notified by the transportation department prior to the start of construction.
Students and parents who drive to school should also be aware of this project, which may cause delays at the two north-south crossings.
The district has also been notified that Mn/DOT has been approved for 24-7 construction, meaning road crews will be working 24-hours a day and seven days a week in order to complete the project on time. The project is slated to be completed in the fall of 2008.
Officials from North St. Paul have been keeping the district updated on the status of the project and the district will post updates as they become available. Information can also be found on the Mn/DOT’s Web site at www.dot.state.mn.us.
