The West 72nd Street Improvements project is the first segment of the South Trunk Sanitary Sewer Improvements project, a major, multi-year effort in the South Cornelia and Lake Edina neighborhoods to increase sewer capacity and ensure long-term service reliability. The South Trunk sanitary sewer was installed in the 1950s, runs beneath southern Edina and collects wastewater from two-thirds of the city. After decades of growth, the sewer is at its maximum capacity and needs to be improved to provide additional capacity and reliable service into the future.

The improvements will also help reduce the amount of groundwater and stormwater that inadvertently enters the sanitary sewer system, reducing the risk of the system becoming overwhelmed during heavy rain and extreme weather.

The project replaces and upsizes 0.36 mile of the South Trunk sanitary sewer from just west of Cornelia Drive to France Avenue and builds on the recent replacement of Lift Station 6, which laid the groundwork for the trunk line improvements. As part of the project, West 72nd Street is also being fully reconstructed.

West 72nd Street Improvements Overview
Expanding Sanitary Sewer Capacity

• Upsize the sewer trunk line from a 24-inch pipe to a 36-inch pipe to accommodate additional wastewater flows

Renewing Aging Infrastructure and Reducing Service Risks

• Replace the aging concrete sanitary sewer trunk line with more durable PVC pipe
• Install an additional water line between Lynmar Lane and France Avenue to improve system redundancy
• Replace and upsize a section of storm sewer that serves the Lake Cornelia outlet to help reduce flood risk

Reconstructing Streets

• Reconstruct the existing pavement built in the 1950s, replacing concrete with asphalt
• Replace the water main and water services, including fire hydrants and gate valves, and add hydrants where necessary
• Modify the roadway and storm sewer to improve drainage, including installing sump drain pipe where feasible
• Replace concrete curb and gutter
• Reconstruct the sidewalk along the north side of the street
• Construct a new 8-foot shared-use path along the south side of the street

We can provide further advice as we better understand impacts to private sewer services. The City does not provide recommendations, but can provide a list of contractors that do work in this area.

Work on this segment is expected to be substantially completed later this year (2026), with minor restoration continuing next spring (2027).

The France Avenue closure is the last major step of this year’s project. Crews need to temporarily close this part of France Avenue while they reconnect the newly reconstructed portion of the South Trunk sanitary sewer to the existing sewer system at France Avenue.

France Avenue will close to thru traffic in both directions between West 69th and West 76th streets beginning 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, for approximately three weeks. Drivers should use York Avenue to travel around the closure.

Local access will be maintained. Drivers can still use France Avenue to access businesses and residences within the work area. From either direction, France Avenue will remain open for local traffic up to a fully closed section between Hazelton Road and Gallagher Drive.

People walking and biking will be detoured using nearby streets and trails. A portion of the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail will also be rerouted during the closure.

Detour Maps:

• Vehicle Detour Map (opens in new tab)
• Walking & Biking Detour Map (opens in new tab)

The West 72nd Street improvements are a Capital Improvement Plan project with an estimated cost of $4.56 million. Funding includes the City’s Sanitary Sewer, Water and Storm Sewer Utility Funds ($4 million), special assessments ($220,000), property taxes ($200,000) and the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Fund ($140,000).

Yes, but only in areas that have not prior been special assessed as part of the neighborhood street reconstruct projects, specifically the eastern sections of segment 1, and segment 2 and 3.

The West 72nd Street project is the first segment of the larger South Trunk Sanitary Sewer Improvements project. The next segment, on Oaklawn Avenue between Claremore Drive and Gilford Drive, is anticipated to begin in 2030. Construction will continue in phases, with the overall project expected to be completed in the mid-2030s.

For questions about the project, contact:

Ross Bintner
Engineering Services Manager, City of Edina
952-903-5713
PublicWorks@EdinaMN.gov
(External link)

Josh Hrabe
Construction Manager, Bolton & Menk, Inc.
612-965-2473
josh.hrabe@bolton-menk.com