HomeMy WebLinkAboutVernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange Project Nears End of Construction SeasonContact: Brittany Bader, Digital Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • BBader@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange Project Nears End of Construction Season
Bridge over Highway 100 and Ramps to Reopen Mid-November; Railroad Bridge Work Continues into 2026
Edina, Minn., Oct. 22, 2025 – The Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange project, a joint effort between the City of Edina, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT), is entering its final weeks of the 2025 construction season, with the majority of the project on track to meet its original mid-November completion goal.
The new bridge over Highway 100 and its ramps are scheduled to reopen by mid-November, restoring access for traffic entering and exiting Highway 100 at Vernon Avenue and West 50th Street.
Improvements to nearby intersections in the Grandview District also remain on track to finish this fall. However, work to complete the second bridge on Vernon Avenue over the Canadian
Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railroad is delayed and will continue into 2026 as part of a newly created Stage 4 of construction.
Updated Timeline for the Vernon Avenue Bridge over the CPKC Railroad
In May, crews struck a buried power line near the west support that was not located where expected based on construction plans or on-site utility markings. Because the line was in CPKC’s
right-of-way and not covered by an existing agreement with Xcel Energy, additional approvals were needed before the line could be relocated and construction could continue.
The City of Edina, Hennepin County and MnDOT worked closely with Xcel Energy and CPKC to expedite the process, but the timing was outside the project partners’ control since it involved
private utility work within railroad right-of-way. Xcel secured a permit from CPKC in mid-September, and work to de-energize and relocate the line took place in early October.
Construction on the Vernon Avenue bridge has since resumed. Work will continue until approximately mid-November or as weather allows, then pause for the winter and resume in the spring,
with an anticipated summer 2026 opening.
“When temperatures become too cold, it becomes more difficult to meet construction requirements. Asphalt plants typically close in mid-November, gravel materials freeze and become more
difficult to compact, and concrete installation requires heating for cold weather,” said Engineering Director Chad Millner. “We analyzed potential construction schedules and cost escalations
related to accelerating the work. The most expensive option was an additional $2.3 million. This would allow a partial opening of the Vernon Avenue bridge for six weeks in February
and March. We did not feel the cost was worth a short-term temporary bridge opening. We have opted instead to pause bridge work when winter weather arrives and resume in the spring
with a new construction season. We understand the impact of this news on businesses and the traveling public. We made every attempt within our control to keep this portion of the project
on schedule. We appreciate everyone’s patience with the
project as we finish the remaining work next year.”
Added costs associated with the bridge delay will depend on weather and how
much work can be completed this year. Because it is a County bridge, those costs
will be shared between Hennepin County and the City of Edina under the existing
cooperative agreement, with approximately 80% covered by Hennepin County and 20% by the City. The delay will be handled through a contract change order, and the remainder of the project
will not need to be rebid. Xcel Energy is responsible for the cost of relocating the power line.
Detour and Maps
Local traffic in the Grandview area will continue to use Eden Avenue as the east-west detour until the Vernon Avenue bridge over the railroad is complete. Interactive and image versions
of the Stage 4 map will be available soon at BetterTogetherEdina.org/vernon-hwy100.
Online Project Talks
Join Millner for the last two online project talks of the construction season at 11 a.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 13. These talks provide an opportunity for the project team to share construction
updates and for the public to ask questions. Anyone interested in the project is welcome to attend. When it’s time for a project talk, visit EdinaMN.gov/Highway100Talks to participate.
The talks are held online through Microsoft Teams. No account is required, and you can join as a guest.
Support Businesses in Grandview and 50th & France
The Worth the Detour Passport, a fun loyalty program where you collect stamps when you shop or dine at participating businesses and enter to win gift cards will continue until Nov. 15.
Stamp your passport, win prizes and support local businesses in Grandview & 50th & France during construction. Find all the details at BetterTogetherEdina.org/Worth-The-Detour.
About the Project
The Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange project is a joint effort between the City of Edina, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation and includes replacing
two bridges on Vernon Avenue, one over the CPKC railroad and the other over Highway 100. The project will also improve nearby intersections and eliminate redundant Highway 100 access
ramps in favor of a standard tight diamond interchange.
The new bridge over Highway 100 includes space for these improvements:
10-foot-wide sidewalks and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps
Pedestrian refuge islands
New dual left-turn lanes in both east and west directions
New traffic signals with ADA-compliant audible crossings
The Vernon Avenue bridge over the railroad was at the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced. The new bridge will be widened and raised to meet railroad height requirements
and includes the following improvements:
Wide sidewalks and railings on both sides
New lighting
A new left-turn lane for westbound Vernon Avenue onto Gus Young Lane
Stay Informed
The City of Edina is committed to minimizing disruptions by keeping residents,
businesses and the traveling public informed throughout construction. Press
releases and social media posts will be shared when there are major traffic changes.
Learn more about the project at BetterTogetherEdina.org/vernon-hwy100.
On this page, you will find:
Frequent project updates
Detour maps
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the project
Sign-up form for project email updates
Resources for businesses
Additionally, businesses in the area can sign up for business-specific communication options at EdinaMN.gov/Highway100-Business.
For more information, contact City of Edina Engineering Director Chad Millner at 952-826-0318 or cmillner@EdinaMN.gov.
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this portion of the project on schedule. We appreciate everyone’s patience with the
project as we finish the remaining work next year.”
Added costs associated with the bridge delay will depend on weather and how
much work can be completed this year. Because it is a County bridge, those costs
will be shared between Hennepin County and the City of Edina under the existing
cooperative agreement, with approximately 80% covered by Hennepin County and 20% by the City. The delay will be handled through a contract change order, and the remainder of the project
will not need to be rebid. Xcel Energy is responsible for the cost of relocating the power line.
Detour and Maps
Local traffic in the Grandview area will continue to use Eden Avenue as the east-west detour until the Vernon Avenue bridge over the railroad is complete. Interactive and image versions
of the Stage 4 map will be available soon at BetterTogetherEdina.org/vernon-hwy100.
Online Project Talks
Join Millner for the last two online project talks of the construction season at 11 a.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 13. These talks provide an opportunity for the project team to share construction
updates and for the public to ask questions. Anyone interested in the project is welcome to attend. When it’s time for a project talk, visit EdinaMN.gov/Highway100Talks to participate.
The talks are held online through Microsoft Teams. No account is required, and you can join as a guest.
Support Businesses in Grandview and 50th & France
The Worth the Detour Passport, a fun loyalty program where you collect stamps when you shop or dine at participating businesses and enter to win gift cards will continue until Nov. 15.
Stamp your passport, win prizes and support local businesses in Grandview & 50th & France during construction. Find all the details at BetterTogetherEdina.org/Worth-The-Detour.
About the Project
The Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange project is a joint effort between the City of Edina, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation and includes replacing
two bridges on Vernon Avenue, one over the CPKC railroad and the other over Highway 100. The project will also improve nearby intersections and eliminate redundant Highway 100 access
ramps in favor of a standard tight diamond interchange.
The new bridge over Highway 100 includes space for these improvements:
10-foot-wide sidewalks and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps
Pedestrian refuge islands
New dual left-turn lanes in both east and west directions
New traffic signals with ADA-compliant audible crossings
The Vernon Avenue bridge over the railroad was at the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced. The new bridge will be widened and raised to meet railroad height requirements
and includes the following improvements:
Wide sidewalks and railings on both sides
New lighting
A new left-turn lane for westbound Vernon Avenue onto Gus Young Lane
Edina, Minn., Oct. 22, 2025 – The Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange project, a joint effort between the City of Edina, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT), is entering its final weeks of the 2025 construction season, with the majority of the project on track to meet its original mid-November completion goal.
The new bridge over Highway 100 and its ramps are scheduled to reopen by mid-November, restoring access for traffic entering and exiting Highway 100 at Vernon Avenue and West 50th Street.
Improvements to nearby intersections in the Grandview District also remain on track to finish this fall. However, work to complete the second bridge on Vernon Avenue over the Canadian
Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railroad is delayed and will continue into 2026 as part of a newly created Stage 4 of construction.
Updated Timeline for the Vernon Avenue Bridge over the CPKC Railroad
In May, crews struck a buried power line near the west support that was not located where expected based on construction plans or on-site utility markings. Because the line was in CPKC’s
right-of-way and not covered by an existing agreement with Xcel Energy, additional approvals were needed before the line could be relocated and construction could continue.
The City of Edina, Hennepin County and MnDOT worked closely with Xcel Energy and CPKC to expedite the process, but the timing was outside the project partners’ control since it involved
private utility work within railroad right-of-way. Xcel secured a permit from CPKC in mid-September, and work to de-energize and relocate the line took place in early October.
Construction on the Vernon Avenue bridge has since resumed. Work will continue until approximately mid-November or as weather allows, then pause for the winter and resume in the spring,
with an anticipated summer 2026 opening.
“When temperatures become too cold, it becomes more difficult to meet construction requirements. Asphalt plants typically close in mid-November, gravel materials freeze and become more
difficult to compact, and concrete installation requires heating for cold weather,” said Engineering Director Chad Millner. “We analyzed potential construction schedules and cost escalations
related to accelerating the work. The most expensive option was an additional $2.3 million. This would allow a partial opening of the Vernon Avenue bridge for six weeks in February
and March. We did not feel the cost was worth a short-term temporary bridge opening. We have opted instead to pause bridge work when winter weather arrives and resume in the spring
with a new construction season. We understand the impact of this news on businesses and the traveling public. We made every attempt within our control to keep this portion of the project
on schedule. We appreciate everyone’s patience with the
project as we finish the remaining work next year.”
Added costs associated with the bridge delay will depend on weather and how
much work can be completed this year. Because it is a County bridge, those costs
will be shared between Hennepin County and the City of Edina under the existing
cooperative agreement, with approximately 80% covered by Hennepin County and 20% by the City. The delay will be handled through a contract change order, and the remainder of the project
will not need to be rebid. Xcel Energy is responsible for the cost of relocating the power line.
Detour and Maps
Local traffic in the Grandview area will continue to use Eden Avenue as the east-west detour until the Vernon Avenue bridge over the railroad is complete. Interactive and image versions
of the Stage 4 map will be available soon at BetterTogetherEdina.org/vernon-hwy100.
Online Project Talks
Join Millner for the last two online project talks of the construction season at 11 a.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 13. These talks provide an opportunity for the project team to share construction
updates and for the public to ask questions. Anyone interested in the project is welcome to attend. When it’s time for a project talk, visit EdinaMN.gov/Highway100Talks to participate.
The talks are held online through Microsoft Teams. No account is required, and you can join as a guest.
Support Businesses in Grandview and 50th & France
The Worth the Detour Passport, a fun loyalty program where you collect stamps when you shop or dine at participating businesses and enter to win gift cards will continue until Nov. 15.
Stamp your passport, win prizes and support local businesses in Grandview & 50th & France during construction. Find all the details at BetterTogetherEdina.org/Worth-The-Detour.
About the Project
The Vernon Avenue & Highway 100 Interchange project is a joint effort between the City of Edina, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation and includes replacing
two bridges on Vernon Avenue, one over the CPKC railroad and the other over Highway 100. The project will also improve nearby intersections and eliminate redundant Highway 100 access
ramps in favor of a standard tight diamond interchange.
The new bridge over Highway 100 includes space for these improvements:
10-foot-wide sidewalks and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps
Pedestrian refuge islands
New dual left-turn lanes in both east and west directions
New traffic signals with ADA-compliant audible crossings
The Vernon Avenue bridge over the railroad was at the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced. The new bridge will be widened and raised to meet railroad height requirements
and includes the following improvements:
Wide sidewalks and railings on both sides
New lighting
A new left-turn lane for westbound Vernon Avenue onto Gus Young Lane
Stay Informed
The City of Edina is committed to minimizing disruptions by keeping residents,
businesses and the traveling public informed throughout construction. Press
releases and social media posts will be shared when there are major traffic changes.
Learn more about the project at BetterTogetherEdina.org/vernon-hwy100.
On this page, you will find:
Frequent project updates
Detour maps
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the project
Sign-up form for project email updates
Resources for businesses
Additionally, businesses in the area can sign up for business-specific communication options at EdinaMN.gov/Highway100-Business.
For more information, contact City of Edina Engineering Director Chad Millner at 952-826-0318 or cmillner@EdinaMN.gov.
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