News

Project News

Construction

July 2010

Construction bids have been received for the segment of County Road 81 between TH 100 and Bass Lake Road and Hennepin County has awarded the contract to Shafer Contracting. Construction will begin July 19th, 2010. This segment of C.R. 81 will be under construction during the 2010 and 2011 construction seasons and will be substantially complete by November of 2011, with final completion by June of 2012

During the time of construction, traffic on Bass Lake Road and on C.R. 81 may be reduced to one lane in each direction, detoured, or both. Please check for up to date information on Hennepin County's Construction website.

Environmental Assessment Available for Review and Comment

May 2009

The Bottineau Boulevard (CSAH 81) Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared and is now available for review and comment. Hennepin County encourages the public to attend a public hearing and open house for the proposed reconstruction project on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Gardenview Room at the City of Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center (located at 5600 85th Avenue North in Brooklyn Park).

The purpose of the public hearing and open house is to inform the public about the project, and encourage the public to comment and ask questions. Maps, drawings, and pertinent information (including the EA) will be available for public inspection. The public will be able to discuss the project in an informal manner with County staff and design and environmental consultants. Comments received, written or oral (by a court reporter at the public hearing), become part of the official public hearing record and will be considered when making future project-related decisions.

The EA documents the purpose and need of the project along with the anticipated social, economic, and environmental impacts, and is available on this website under the Documents link. Copies of the EA will also be available for review during the public hearing and open house and are available for public viewing during business hours at the following locations:

  • Brooklyn Park Library (8600 Zane Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443)
  • Crystal Library (6401 42nd Avenue North, Crystal, MN 55427)
  • Hennepin County Public Works (1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340)
  • Maple Grove Library (8351 Elm Creek Boulevard, Maple Grove, MN 55369)
  • Osseo Library (415 Central Avenue, Osseo, MN 55369)

Written comments can be mailed, prior to the close of the public comment period on June 24, 2009, to Craig Twinem, Design Division Engineer, Hennepin County, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340.

Negative Declaration Regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement

October 2008

As the Responsible Governmental Unit for the project, Hennepin County has undertaken a thorough analysis of the project and its impacts. Through its own analysis, coordination with affected agencies, public and community involvement, and comment letters received, Hennepin County has determined the project does not have the potential for significant environmental impacts. Hennepin County concluded that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required, and determined that a Negative Declaration is ordered. The Findings of Fact and Conclusions support the record of this decision and determination. The Negative Declaration concludes the Minnesota state environmental review process.

All relevant documents are posted on this website on the Documents section: Link.

Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Available for Review and Comment

July 2008

Pursuant to Minnesota Environmental Quality Board Rules, an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for County Road 81 in Robbinsdale, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Osseo, and Maple Grove was prepared and made available for review and comment from July 28, 2008 to August 27, 2008.

The EAW is posted on this website, in the Documents section: Link.

Questions regarding this project may be directed to Mr. Craig Twinem, Design Division Engineer, Hennepin County, at 612-596-0360 or craig.twinem@co.hennepin.mn.us

Upcoming Public Open House Meetings

Additional public meetings will be held to present the Environmental Documentation for the future projects. Check back for more information.

Past Public Open Houses

Six public open house meetings were held between June and October 2006 in the cities of Robbinsdale, Crystal (2), Brooklyn Park (2), and Osseo. These meetings provided the opportunity to present project information to interested parties, engage in discussion with them, and receive feedback on project issues. Participants were able to submit written comments on the project and design using comment forms that were distributed at the meetings. Two open house meetings were also held in January and October 2002 when the project was first initiated.

Public comments from open house meetings. (PDF 45 k)

Past Meetings

City Council Work Sessions and Meetings

City Council work sessions took place on the following dates:

  • May 16, 2006 in the city of Crystal
  • June 19, 2006 in the city of  Brooklyn Park
  • July 10, 2006 in the city of  Osseo

City Council meetings were held on the following dates:

  • May 15, 2007 with the City of Robbinsdale
  • November 20, 2007 with the City of Crystal
  • December 4, 2006 with the City of Brooklyn Park
  • March 26, 2007 with the City of Osseo
  • September 4, 2007 with the City of Maple Grove