Dec. 2023 Update

Our team has been analyzing the alternatives presented this summer. We're using input from the community and our technical knowledge to make decisions. You can see the alternatives we're considering in our update from September 7, 2023.

Alternatives analysis

First, the eight alternatives were evaluated to assess how well each met the established Primary Needs. A “No-Build” alternative was included to compare how things are now.

Primary Needs

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  Vehicle Safety: We're asking if the option makes driving safer.
• Vehicle Mobility: We're also checking if it helps vehicles move better on and crossing Hwy 52, especially large agricultural and freight vehicles

We then assessed how well each alternative met the established Secondary Needs.

Secondary Needs

• Pavement Condition: We're looking at if the option makes the road better.
• Systemic Safety Risk Locations: We're checking if it makes the road safer by reducing danger spots.
• Bridge and Culvert Conditions: We're looking at whether it helps bridges and culverts.
• Walkability and Bikeability: We're looking at whether it makes it easier for people to walk or bike across Hwy 52.

We also thought about whether the alternative:

• meets access management guidance,
• fits with local and state plans, programs, and projects,
• how much it costs to build,
• how it affects people during construction, and
• if it helps reduce problems like flooding.

We're still finalizing the evaluation analysis, and some options might not carry forward. Based on initial findings, here are the alternatives we're considering carrying forward and not carrying forward:

Alternatives to carry forward

• Alternative 4: Interchange at 165th Avenue
• Alternative 5: Interchange at County Road 7
• Alternative 7: Overpass at new County Road 7 and interchange at 165th Avenue

Alternatives to not carry forward

• Alternative 1: J-turns at County Road 7 and 165th Avenue
• Alternative 2: Right-in right-out at County Road 7 and J-turn at 165th Avenue
• Alternative 3: High-T intersections at County Road 7 and 165th Avenue
• Alternative 6: Interchange at new County Road 7 and J-turn at 165th Avenue
• Alternative 8: Overpass at new County Road 7 and J-turn at 165th Avenue

What’s next?

We're still analyzing alternatives and plan to present our findings to the community in Spring 2024. Keep an eye out for more info in early 2024.

This study is different from previous area projects that ended with construction. Our study purpose, a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study, is to help transportation decision-making by incorporating environmental and community values early in project development. The study will finish with alternatives to carry forward for future study.