By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
In the past weeks, we have covered the road construction projects that are happening in Northfield, including the project at Wall Street, around Kwik Trip in Northfield, and around Maple Street. Over the next several weeks, we want to take a look at the proposed projects coming in the next several years.
PREVIOUS STORY (2/19/2025): A Look At Northfield Road Construction Projects For 2025
PREVIOUS STORY (3/3/2025): Wall Street Road closes as phase 1 of improvements starts
The average road in Northfield is designed to last 50 years, with a mill and overlay at the midpoint to restore the road and extend its life with a full reconstruction at the end of the road 50-year life. City Engineering Director Sean Simonson says its to save costs in the long run:
“We get questions…’You guys just reconstructed this street, you know, 15 years ago. Why are you doing it again?’ Well, when the payment gets distressed to a point, if it gets too far, we can’t do a mill and overlay. And if we get that road in a sweet spot where it’s salvageable by spending, you know 50% of the dollar on that. For just grinding off 2 inches and putting 2 inches of pavement down and prolonging that surface for another 10-15. Years. That’s the process we would like to handle. Once a road gets too far where a mill and overlay are just not feasible because you don’t want to throw, good money after a bad project because you’re not going to be fixing the problem as a whole. Then it gets to that reclamation and reconstruction.” – Sean Simonson, the City of Northfield’s Engineering Director at the 12/11/2024 Transportation Townhall
In 2026, road projects will again focus on Jefferson Parkway and Maple Street area. The most significant project will be the mill and overlay of Jefferson Parkway from the Roundabout at Division Street/246 to Spring Creek Road. Also undergoing a mill and overlay will be:
- Maple Street from Meadow View Drive to Jefferson Parkway
- Maple Court
- Prairie Street from Meadow View Drive to Jefferson Parkway
A new bike path will be stalled along Prairie Street, connecting Jefferson Parkway and Woodley Street. The Mill Towns State Trail for walkers and bikers will also get a significant addition, running along Jefferson Parkway and then through Spring Creek Park, connecting the trail with several other segments.
As part of the project, their will be several intersection improvements along Jefferson Parkway. Public Works Director and City Engineer Dave Benett stated in December, that “we know humans make mistakes, so how do we plan and build a roadway network understanding that there could be mistakes on the roadway system.” For pedestrians, he cited the speed of drivers and designing roads that slow down vehicles:
“Again, getting at speed and why it’s important and it gets to really the other users of the roadway. We know when speeds are lower for drivers; if they’re driving 20 mph, they’re they’re yielding for People 75% of the time, so yield rates are high. We know as vehicle speeds increase, get above 30 mph, the yield rates drop significantly down.” – Northfield Public Works Director/City Engineer Dave Bennett at the 2024 Transportation Town Hall.
Improvements to the intersections and pedestrian crossings include narrowing and raising the road to slow design vehicles, improving crossing lights for visibility, and separating bikes and walkers from vehicles.
The city will hold several neighborhood meetings to provide those living in the area with more specific information. The first meeting will be on April 16th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the 2nd Floor Training Room of City Hall.
Find more information on the city’s construction page here.
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