Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange Project

Progress continues towards re-opening the Highway 100 Bridge and related on- & off-ramps to Highway 100 by mid-November. The contractor has completed most of the concrete sidewalk, curb & gutter, and the first layers of asphalt paving. The final layer of paving is tentatively scheduled for the week of November 3. Noise wall planking is also expected to start November 3, 2025. The project team has recently reviewed adding trees within some of the medians. Sightlines and maintenance areas were reviewed. It was determined that 3 trees can be planted east of the Highway 100 on 50th Street. 10 trees can be planted west of Highway 100 on Vernon Avenue. There are 6 large boxed tress in the city hall parking lot that will be used for a portion of these plantings. We thank everyone for their patience during construction.

Work started last week on the west abutment of the Vernon Avenue bridge. This is good news but there is not enough time to finish that portion of the project by mid-November. The project team analyzed potential construction schedules and cost escalations related to acerating the work. The most expensive option was an additional $2.3M. This would allow a partial opening of the Vernon Ave Bridge for 6 weeks in February and March. The City and County did not feel the cost was worth a short-term temporary bridge opening. Therefore, it has been decided that the contractor will continue work as long as weather allows in 2025. They will resume work as soon as weather allows in April 2026. The Highway 100 bridge and on and off ramps are on schedule to open mid-November. Thanks

Work started this week on the west abutment of the Vernon Avenue bridge. This is good news but there is not enough time to finish that portion of the project by mid-November. The project team is analyzing potential construction schedules and costs related to this work. As soon as a decision is made, we will communicate that. Much of the concrete curb and gutter on Vernon Avenue, 50^th Street, and the new on- & off-ramps will be installed this week. The portion of the project around the Highway 100 Bridge including on- and off-ramps is on schedule to re-open by mid-November.

Finally, work started on the west abutment of the Vernon Avenue bridge. Picture provided. Discussions with the contractor continue on schedules moving forward. As soon as we know a plan, we will provide that information. Thanks

Xcel Energy has de-energized the power line that has conflicted with the new west bridge support. The contractor will begin work next week to excavate an area for Xcel Energy to place a steel pipe that will contain the power line in the future. This steel pipe protects it from potential hits and makes it more resilient. They will also begin removing the old bridge support. There is not enough time to complete the Vernon Avenue Bridge by November 15 as detailed in the contract due to this delay. Xcel Energy and the contractor are developing schedules and cost to finish the project. When information is available, it will be shared. The critical path is asphalt paving and how long the asphalt plants are open before closing for the winter.

Xcel Energy has secured a permit from CPKC Railroad to relocate the power line that has been delaying the project. There is not enough time to complete the Vernon Avenue Bridge by November 15 as detailed in the contract due to this delay. Xcel Energy and the contractor are now discussing schedules and cost to finish the project. When information is available, it will be shared. The critical path is asphalt paving and how long the asphalt plants are open before closing for the winter.

On Wednesday night, the entire concrete deck of the Highway 100 Bridge was poured. Concrete started flowing through large concrete pumper trucks at 8:30 pm. By approximately 4 am, the entire deck was poured. Crews were completing the finishing work and covering the concrete at 7 am, Thursday morning. The concrete deck will need approximately 7 days to cure before work can start on medians, barriers, curbs, and sidewalks.

Xcel Energy has secured a permit from CPKC Railroad to relocate the power line that has been delaying the project. Xcel Energy and the contractor will now start discussing schedules and cost to finish the project. When information is available, it will be shared. Thanks

Worth the Detour: From stylish boutiques and award-winning restaurants at 50th & France to neighborhood favorites and everyday go-tos in Grandview, Edina’s business districts are special destinations year-round. During the Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange construction project, your support of local businesses makes a big difference. The Worth the Detour Edina campaign highlights the unique shops, restaurants and experiences these districts offer. This fall, you can participate by collecting stamps in the Worth the Detour Passport program, joining the Restaurant Week social media contest and enjoying free movies at the Edina Theatre on select Saturday mornings, all while continuing to support your favorite local businesses. https://www.bettertogetheredina.org/worth-the-detour.

Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project: Since Monday, CPKC Railroad has stated the permit for Xcel Energy to move the buried power line has been issued. Xcel Energy is stating they have not received it. The contractor is hoping to start this work next week if the permit situation can be cleared up. The noise wall posts along the northbound Highway 100 on-ramp are complete. Installation of the noise wall timbers is scheduled for next week. Another big milestone for the Highway 100 Bridge is scheduled for next week. The concrete deck is scheduled to be poured late next week during night hours.

Highway 100 Off-Ramp Closures Starting September 15: Stage 3B Detours are starting Monday. The northbound exit to Grange Rd and the southbound exit to Arcadia Ave will be closed beginning September 15^th and anticipated to last until mid-November. Detour maps for Stage 3B can be viewed here. After the closures, the contractor is planning to begin crushing / recycling old street pavement to use on the project. Better to recycle onsite than to haul the material offsite and haul in new material. This will also be noisy/dusty.

Worth the Detour: From stylish boutiques and award-winning restaurants at 50th & France to neighborhood favorites and everyday go-tos in Grandview, Edina’s business districts are special destinations year-round. During the Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange construction project, your support of local businesses makes a big difference. The Worth the Detour Edina campaign highlights the unique shops, restaurants and experiences these districts offer. This fall, you can participate by collecting stamps in the Worth the Detour Passport program, joining the Restaurant Week social media contest and enjoying free movies at the Edina Theatre on select Saturday mornings, all while continuing to support your favorite local businesses. https://www.bettertogetheredina.org/worth-the-detour.

Thanks for your patience with the project.

Business Outreach: The City is launching a campaign called “Worth the Detour Edina” to encourage residents and visitors to continue shopping, dining and supporting businesses in Grandview and 50th & France. Our goal is to keep energy and attention on the districts while reminding the community that shopping local matters. Businesses, please fill out a short online form at EdinaMN.gov/BusinessSupport as soon as possible if your willing to participate. The City’s role in this effort is to promote and amplify businesses through communication and marketing. Explore Edina is generously funding the gift cards used for prizes so that all support goes directly back into local businesses.

Great News. Beams are being lifted into place now during the night for the Highway 100 Bridge. Night-time closures have been ongoing. This work should be completed by Saturday. The regional detour is HWY 62 to HWY 169 to I-394, and vice versa.

Future Closures. Northbound exit to Grange Rd and Southbound Exit to Arcadia Ave will be closed beginning September 15^th and anticipated to last until mid-November. The project team is working on developing maps and resources that will be posted to the site and emailed out soon. The week of September 15^th, the contractor is planning to begin crushing / recycling old street pavement to use on the project at the stockpile on the East side of 100. Better to recycle onsite than to haul the material offsite and haul in new material. This will also be noisy/dusty.

Bad News. Xcel Energy and CPKC Rail have still not secured a permit to relocate an Xcel power line in the railroad right-of-way. The project team continues to push for resolution. The Vernon Avenue Bridge will not be complete by the anticipated completion date of November 15. Until a permit is secured, no project schedule or cost updates can be provided and reviewed.

Thanks, Chad Millner, City Engineer.