Shady Oak Road and Red Circle Drive sidewalk improvements

Sidewalk installation and improvements are proposed for sections of Shady Oak Drive and Red Circle Drive this summer. The project will help create critical trail connections near the newly completed light rail station and trail systems in the Opus area.

Project background

Shady Oak Road sidewalk

In early 2021, the city completed the Opus Alternate Urban Area Review (AUAR), a planning study and environmental analysis of the Opus area anticipated development and infrastructure. The purpose of the study was to help guide future planning decisions and produce a plan to identify responsible infrastructure while allowing growth and managing environmental impacts during development.

A widened sidewalk along Shady Oak Road between Red Circle Drive (north and south) will accommodate additional pedestrian and bicycle traffic related to commercial and residential development in the Opus area. This sidewalk widening is consistent with infrastructure planned as part of the Opus AUAR.

Red Circle Drive

A sidewalk along Red Circle Drive between Shady Oak Road and the Opus Station Green Line Extension, is consistent with infrastructure planned as part of the Opus AUAR. This sidewalk will accommodate additional pedestrian and bicycle traffic related to commercial and residential development in the Opus area.

In 2023, the addition of a turn lane and sidewalk along the property at 11050 Red Circle Drive (Doran Development) was constructed. Currently, the apartments at 10702 Red Circle Drive (GreyStar Development) are under construction and this project includes the construction of a sidewalk adjacent to the property at 10900 Red Circle Drive. The sidewalk proposed with this project will complete a gap in the sidewalk network along Red Circle Drive.

Proposed Improvements

Shady Oak Road sidewalk

Plans and specifications have been prepared for the replacement and widening of 450-ft long sidewalk along Shady Oak Road from 8-ft to 10-ft wide, and the addition of a 4-ft boulevard between the curb and sidewalk. Additionally, a 200-ft section of the roadway will be removed and replaced on Red Circle Drive, including realigning the intersection corners to improve pedestrian safety.

Storm sewer relocation is required near the intersection of Red Circle Drive (south) to accommodate the relocated crosswalk. Additionally, modifications to the existing pedestrian signal are needed, which include relocation of the pedestrian push-button signal and crosswalk notification signal. No easements are required with this construction.

Red Circle Drive

Traffic on Shady Oak Road (County State Aid Highway 61) will be temporarily impacted during construction with required lane shifts. Improvements have been coordinated with all agencies, including Hennepin County and MnDOT.

Plans and specifications have been prepared for the addition of the sidewalk along the 10900 Red Circle Drive property, 8-ft wide and approximately 730-ft long. The sidewalk will have a 2-ft concrete boulevard between the curb and sidewalk.

Due to the impacts of sidewalk construction, modifications are needed to two parking lot accesses. New curb and gutter will direct drainage and storm sewer improvements are required near the eastern parking lot access. Additionally, a 750-ft section of Red Circle Drive will be removed and replaced following trail construction. The property owner at 10900 Red Circle Drive donated easements for the project under the agreement the city would replace and relocate their monument sign in conflict with the project.