Study design alternatives

We have created several design alternatives for Hwy 7 using the current conditions of the road, study area needs and public feedback. The alternatives have been broken down by segments because the study area spans an 18-mile stretch of road with different needs.

  • Segment 1 (Hwy 7 from the Hennepin/Carver County line in St. Bonifacius to Hwy 41 in Shorewood)

  • Segment 2 (Hwy 7 from Hwy 41 in Shorewood to the Baker Rd. interchange in Minnetonka)

Alternatives have only been developed from the Hennepin/Carver County line in St. Bonifacius to Baker Rd. interchange in Minnetonka due to changes in traffic volume and the experiences of drivers and pedestrians, which were discovered during the existing conditions analysis. Future studies will consider evaluation of Hwy 7 east of Baker Rd.

Read on to learn more about what is being proposed and how each concept performed against the study needs.

Segment 1 overview

Segment 1 includes the west area of Hwy 7, spanning from the Hennepin/Carver County line in St. Bonifacius to Hwy 41 in Shorewood. The highway is primarily two lanes with one lane in each direction. The biggest challenges on this segment are head-on crashes and unsafe crossings at intersections. 


There are three alternatives for Segment 1: 

  1. Alternative 1 — No build or keep as is: Hwy 7 would remain as it is today with minor safety and/or capacity improvements.
  2. Alternative 2 — Roundabouts: Both single and multi-lane roundabouts are being considered to decrease crashes and improve travel times. Roundabouts show an 86 percent decrease in fatal crashes, an 83 percent decrease in life-altering injury crashes, and a 42 percent overall decrease in the injury crash rate at intersections. Learn more about roundabouts.
  3. Alternative 3 — Improved intersections: A variety of improved intersections are being considered for this option. These sorts of intersections are proven to reduce serious and fatal crashes caused by “T bone” crashes at intersections:
    1. 3/4 intersection: This means that left turns from the side road onto the main road are not allowed.
    2. Reduced conflict intersection (RCI)/J-turns: Learn more about J-turns.
    3. Green T intersection: Used at t-intersections, this design helps reduce delays and improve efficiency by allowing continuous movement for one direction of traffic on the main road. Other specialty turn lanes will be added to allow cars to enter and exit Hwy 7 more safely.

All alternatives besides the no build/keep as alternative would include the addition of a concrete median between intersections to reduce head-on crashes that are significant in this segment.

Two lane divided highway with a concrete median.

Segment 1 performance

Each alternative was rated using the study area needs identified in the first phase of the study. A rating of one shows minimal improvement, while a rating of three shows the most improvement. (3 = most improvement, 1 = minimal improvement)

Segment 1 area needs

Alternative 1
(No build/keep as is)

Alternative 2 (Roundabouts)

Alternative 3
(Intersection improvements)

Vehicle safety 

 1

3

2

Vehicle mobility 

2

2

2

Walkability/bikeability 

1

2

2

Maintenance, cost, plan consistency

 2

2

1

Social, economic, and environmental considerations

3

2

1


Segment 1 Alternative 1: No build/keep as is

Map of Segment 1 Alternative 1 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image
Key features
  • Two lane, undivided roadway between intersections 
  • Stop signs at Wildwood Ave., Highland Rd. and Minnewashta Pkwy. 
  • Signals at Co. Rd. 92, Co. Rd. 44, Co. Rd. 13, and Hwy 41 
  • Single lane roundabout at King’s Point Rd.

Benefits

  • Cost savings 
  • Minimize environmental impacts 

Challenges

  • Minimal safety and operational benefits 

Segment 1 Alternative 2: Roundabouts

Map of Segment 1 Alternative 2 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image
Key features
  • Median barrier between the intersections 
  • 3/4 intersection at Wildwood Ave. and Highland Rd.
  • Single-lane roundabouts at Co. Rd. 92, Co. Rd. 44, Co. Rd. 13, and Minnewashta Pkwy.
  • Multi-lane roundabouts at King’s Point Rd. and Hwy 41

Benefits

  • Improved safety for intersection and main road related crashes 
  • Anticipated reduction in intersection delay 

Challenges 

  • Longer travel distances 

Segment 1 Alternative 3: Improved intersections

Map of Segment 1 Alternative 3 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image


Key features
  • Median barrier along the roadway
  • 3/4 intersections at Wildwood Ave. and Highland Rd.
  • Signalized intersection at Co. Rd. 92
  • Reduced conflict intersection (RCI)/J-turns at Co. Rd. 13, Minnewashta Pkwy. and Hwy 41
  • Roundabout at King’s Point Rd.
  • Green T at Co. Rd. 44

Benefits

  • Improved main road travel time 
  • Improved safety for intersection and main road related crashes  

Challenges 

  • Potential increase in off-peak side road delay 
  • Pedestrian crossing safety at non-signal locations 
  • Increased cost and impacts 
  • Longer travel distances 

Segment 2 overview

Segment 2 spans Hwy 7 from Hwy 41 in Shorewood to the Baker Rd. interchange in Minnetonka. The road has two lanes in each direction that are separated by a median. The biggest issues in this area are vehicle and pedestrian safety and travel time reliability.  

There are three alternatives for Segment 2: 

  1. Alternative 1 — No build or keep as is: Hwy 7 would remain as it is today with minor safety and/or capacity improvements.

  2. Alternative 2 — At-grade intersections: An at-grade intersection is any intersection that keeps all lanes of travel at grade. This can include signals, roundabouts, reduced conflict intersection (RCI)/J-turns or other at-grade improvements. The goal of at-grade intersections is to improve safety by reducing the number and severity of angle crashes.
  3. Alternative 3 — Grade-separated intersections: Grade-separated intersections use overpasses or underpasses to keep intersecting travel lanes apart. These types of intersections are ideal for roads with high traffic volumes and significant left-turn movements. These types of intersections enhance overall capacity and support uninterrupted traffic flow in both directions along the main road. Additionally, they provide safe routes for pedestrians by allowing them to cross above or below the traffic lanes.
  4. Alternative 4 — Both at-grade and grade-separated intersections: This alternative uses a mixture of both grade-separated and at-grade intersection solutions.

Each alternative, besides no build or keep as is, includes continuation of a concrete or grass median throughout the segment. 

Image split in half. Top half shows a four lane highway divided by a concrete median. Bottom half shows a four lane highway divided by a grass median.


Segment 2 performance

Each alternative was rated using the study area needs identified in the first phase of the study. A rating of one shows minimal improvement, while a rating of three shows the most improvement. (3 = most improvement, 1 = minimal improvement)


Segment 2 area needs

Alternative 1
(No build or keep as is)

Alternative 2 (At-grade intersections)

Alternative 3 (Grade-separated intersections)

Alternative 4
(Both at-grade and grade separated)

Vehicle safety 

1

1

3

3

Vehicle mobility 

2

2

3

3

Walkability/bikeability 

1

2

3

2

Maintenance, cost, plan consistency

2

2

1

2

Social, economic, and environmental considerations

3

2

2

2


Segment 2 Alternative 1: No build/keep as is

Map of Segment 2 Alternative 1 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image


Key features 

  • Barrier and/or median separation between travel lanes 
  • Signal intersections at Hwy 41, Oak St., Christmas Lake Rd., Old Market Rd., Vine Hill Rd., Co. Rd. 101, Tonkawood Rd. and Williston Rd. 
  • Interchanges at Mill / 2nd St., I-494 and Baker Rd. 

Benefits

  • Cost savings  
  • Minimal environmental impact 

Challenges 

  • Minimal safety and operational benefits  

Segment 2 Alternative 2: At-grade intersections

Map of Segment 2 Alternative 2 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image


Key features

  • Multi-lane roundabouts at Hwy 41, Oak St., Christmas Lake Rd., Old Market Rd. and Vine Hill Rd. 
  • Interchanges at Mill / 2nd St., I-494 and Baker Rd.
  • Continuous flow intersection at Co. Rd. 101 
  • Revised signal at Tonkawood Rd. (update signal timing)
  • Signalized reduced conflict intersection (RCI)/J-turn at Williston Rd. 

Benefits

  • Vehicle safety improvements  
  • Pedestrian safety improves at roundabouts and signalized reduced conflict intersection (RCI)/J-turn
  • Lower cost than freeway with grade-separated crossings

Challenges 

  • Lower overall safety benefit than freeway 
  • Main road mobility challenge 
  • Pedestrian/bicycle crossings at-grade with vehicle

Segment 2 Alternative 3: Grade-separated intersections 

Map of Segment 2 Alternative 3 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image


Key features  

  • Interchanges at Hwy 41, Oak St., Mill / 2nd St., Vine Hill Rd., Co. Rd. 101, Williston Rd., I-494 & Baker Rd .
  • Right-in / right-out at Christmas Lake Rd. and Old Market Rd. 
  • Grade separation at Tonkawood Rd .

Benefits

  • Greatest safety and mobility improvements
  • Remove main road crossing conflicts between pedestrian/bicycle and vehicle

Challenges 

  • Highest cost 
  • Highest impacts  
  • Difficult to implement  

Segment 2 Alternative 4: Both at-grade and grade separated intersections 

Map of Segment 2 Alternative 4 proposed intersection improvements.View full-size image


Key features  

  • Multi-lane roundabouts at Hwy 41, Oak St., Christmas Lake Rd. and Old Market Rd. 
  • Interchanges at Mill / 2nd St, Williston Rd., I-494. and Baker Rd. 
  • Grade separations at Vine Hill Rd. and Tonkawood Rd.

Benefits

  • Optimized mobility and safety based on traffic volumes  
  • Improved bike and pedestrian safety  

Challenges 

  • High cost and impact for freeway segment  

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