Knutson Drive Reconstruction
November 13, 2024 Update
Construction in 2024 is complete. The Contractor completed all the storm sewer work for the entire project.
Construction in 2025 will likely begin as soon as weather allows in spring of 2025. The reconstruction work is from Green Avenue to Northport Drive. The work in 2025 will be complete in late July.
The Troy Drive/Green Avenue resurfacing project (Harper Road to Sauthoff Road) has been separated into it's own project and was not included with the Knutson Drive bid plans. The project includes removing and replacing all of asphalt pavement. The project will also spot replace the curb and gutter and sidewalk. The scope of the resurfacing project has changed to include sanitary sewer work (in the street) along the Mendota Hospital property to relieve an existing sanitary sewer force main in that area.
View past project updates »Project Details
Project Information
Project Overview
The City is planning to reconstruct Knutson Drive (Green Avenue to Northport Drive). The project includes a new street design with curb and gutter, sidewalk, and driveway aprons. The asphalt pavement and gravel base will be replaced. The sanitary sewer and water main will remain. The project will add storm sewer and stormwater features for controlling surface water runoff.
The City is planning to resurface Knutson Drive (Heffernan Drive/Beilfuss Drive to Green Avenue). The project includes installing storm sewer from Heffernan Drive to Knutson Drive east of Green Avenue and remove and replace the asphalt pavement.
The City is planning to resurface Green Avenue (Harper Road to Sauthoff Road). The project includes removing and replacing all of asphalt pavement. The project will also spot replace the curb and gutter and sidewalk. A new sanitary sewer main will be installed along the curve of Troy Drive/Green Avenue to relieve an existing sanitary sewer force main in that area.
Knutson Drive (Green Avenue to Northport Drive) Improvement Options:
Option #1A: The proposed street width will be 21-feet (11-feet eastbound and 10-feet westbound) from face of curb to face of curb with two 8-foot parking pockets along the street. The first parking pocket is west of Westport Road on the south side of the street and is 60-feet accommodating 4 spaces. The second parking pocket is east of Westport Road on the south of the street 75-feet accommodating 5 spaces. By keeping the street at the existing width, this layout supports lowering vehicle speeds, which was noted as a priority for the neighborhood in the previous survey and the first public meeting, as well as preserves some of the trees in the right-of-way. This option would result in fewer on-street parking stalls, but previous input from the community identified on-street parking as a lower priority. This option is currently the City staff recommendation.
Option #1B: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Westport Drive (21-feet (11-feet eastbound and 10-feet westbound) and Knutson Drive from Westport Drive to Northport Drive (2-11’ lanes vehicle lanes, 2-7’ bicycle lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). The block between Green Avenue and Westport Drive would have 8’ parking pockets (same as option 1A) with no bicycle lanes and supports lowering speeds and preserving trees in the right-of-way. The block between Westport Drive and Northport Drive would have bike lanes, which are being considered due to higher traffic volumes on this block, but this would require a wider pavement than Option 1A. Curb and gutter would be included with both layouts.
Knutson Drive, Green Avenue to Westport Drive
Knutson Drive, Westport Drive to Northport Drive
Option #2A: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Northport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes, 2-8’ parking lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). This layout has wider pavement than Option 1A & 1B, which is more likely to result in higher vehicle speeds, but this option would allow for more on-street parking. This option also removes all trees in the right-of-way. Curb and gutter would be included with the layout.
Option #2B: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Westport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes, 2-8’ parking lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides) and Knutson Drive from Westport Drive to Northport Drive (2-11’ lanes vehicle lanes, 2-7’ bicycle lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). Similar to 2A, this layout is more likely to result in higher vehicle speeds due to the wider pavement, but provides more on-street parking than Option 1A & 1B, and also has bike facilities between Westport and Northport. This option also removes all trees in the right-of-way. Curb and gutter would be included with both layouts.
Knutson Drive, Green Avenue to Westport Drive
Knutson Drive, Westport Drive to Northport
Project Limits
Knutson Drive Reconstruction – Green Avenue to Northport Drive
Knutson Drive Resurfacing – Heffernan Drive/Beilfuss Drive to Green Avenue
Troy Drive/Green Avenue Resurfacing – Harper Road to Sauthoff Road
Project Schedule
Knutson Drive
Design: Summer/Fall/Winter 2023 & Winter/Spring 2024
Bids Advertised: May 2024
Construction: Knutson Drive, West of Green Avenue: August 2024 - November 2024; Knutson Drive, East of Green Avenue: Spring 2025 - July 2025. The Contractor may decide to work east of Green Avenue in 2024 but the majority of the work will be in 2025.
Troy Drive/Green Avenue
Design: Summer/Fall/Winter 2023 & Winter/Spring/Summer 2024
Bids Advertised: To be determined
Construction: Troy Drive/Green Avenue (Harper Road to Sauthoff Road): July 2025 - November 2025
Public Involvement
There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:
Public Information Meetings
- A public information meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Nov. 29, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
- Sept. 28, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording
- Sept. 28, 2023 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
Survey
- A survey is now available. Please take the survey before 5 p.m., Dec. 7, 2023.
Knutson Drive Reconstruction- Green Avenue- Northport Drive Survey - A survey for this project is now available. Please take the survey by 5 p.m., Oct. 4, 2023.
Knutson Drive Reconstruction Survey
Mailings
Public Informational Meeting: Letter to property owners; Postcard to nearby residents (both mailed Sept. 6, 2023)
Board of Public Works Hearing February 21, 2024: Notice of Meeting, Fact and Details Sheet, Schedule of Assessments
City Process, Meetings
Transportation Commission: Dec. 13, 2023, option 1A recommended
Board of Public Works: February 21, 2024, option 1A approved
Common Council: March 5, 2025, approval pending