Dodd Boulevard and New County Road 9 (179th Street) Projects
Dakota County and the City of Lakeville are collaborating on planning and design efforts which will result in the reconstruction of Dodd Blvd and construction of new County Road 9 (179th Street) in 2023 and 2024. The two projects are the culmination of many years of planning and design efforts. Several substantial studies and projects have occurred with the end result of the Dodd Blvd improvements and the New County Road 9 (179th Street) realignment in mind. See the Project Documents page for a list of these studies and projects.
10/24/2022 Update:
The two projects had been previously scheduled for 2022 and 2023 construction. However, due to increases in the project size and complexity, the start of construction was pushed back one season for each project, resulting in construction start dates in 2023 and 2024. We appreciate your patience and understanding with the schedule changes. See the map below for the approximate areas of construction for both the 2023 project and 2024 project.
Completion of these projects will allow for the jurisdictional transfer of two roadway segments in the City of Lakeville.
Existing County Road 9 (Dodd Boulevard) from 175th Street W. to Pilot Knob Road (County Road 31) will be transferred from the County to the City for jurisdictional responsibilities. This means that the City of Lakeville will now have ownership and maintenance responsibility for this segment of Dodd Blvd. This entire segment of Dodd Blvd will undergo improvements to the existing roadway, including a full reconstruction of the road from Gerdine Path to Elm Creek Lane.
179th Street W. from Hayes Avenue to County Highway 23 (Cedar Avenue) will be transferred from the City to the County for jurisdictional responsibilities and become new County Road 9. On this project the portion of 179th Street from Hayes Avenue to just west of the City of Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility will be constructed on a new alignment, and the existing portion of 179th Street west of Cedar (currently an access road for the Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility) will be reconstructed.
The portion of 179th Street from County Highway 23 (Cedar Avenue) to County Highway 31 (Pilot Knob Road) is being constructed in 2020. This roadway will be transferred from the City to County jurisdiction upon completion of the improvements to Dodd Boulevard and New County Road 9.
Email Address DoddBlvdCR9@co.dakota.mn.us
Timeline
Late Fall/Winter 2022 – In Person and Virtual Open House #4 – Present the Final Design for the 2024 Construction Project (Reconstruction of Dodd Boulevard)
2023 – Construction (new County Road 9/179th Street)
2023 – Possible Utility Relocation for 2024 Construction Project (reconstruction of Dodd Boulevard)
2024 – Construction (reconstruction of Dodd Boulevard)
Project Purpose and Need
Dodd Boulevard and the new County Road 9 corridor are long-awaited improvements to meet multi-modal transportation needs for the area. Completion of the improvements will result in the realization of the shared transportation vision of Dakota County and the City of Lakeville: two projects, tied together, which when complete will alter traffic patterns and convert Dodd Boulevard to City roadway while providing improved east-west access through Dakota County for commuters on new County Road 9.
The proposed improvements will be completed consistent with the findings from the County Road 9/179th Street Corridor Study. The study was completed in 2019 in partnership between Dakota County and Lakeville to establish the framework for these projects. The proposed improvements/objectives include:
Promote active public participation and community pride, by learning the public’s views, perspectives, and preferences for the corridors.
Provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to neighborhoods, schools, parks and regional trail systems.
Ensure the long-term multi-modal needs of the County and City are met, while improving safety and mobility along the corridor for all users.
Provide improved east-west access throughout southern Dakota County between the cities of Lakeville and Farmington.
Accommodate stormwater drainage along the project corridors and improve water quality.
Evaluate and improve the traffic operations along the County Highway 23 (Cedar Avenue) corridor, focused on the intersections of Glacier Way, Dodd Boulevard and 179th Street.