On April 15, the Monticello Chamber of Commerce held an event for local officials to discuss upcoming transportation projects affecting Monticello, Big Lake, Becker, and Buffalo.

Wright County Commissioner Derek Vetsch served as the emcee for the event. In his opening remarks, he stated that Wright County and Sherburne County have been looking for a transportation solution for motorists trying to cross over the Mississippi River from one county to the other. They have been collaborating on the early stages of a bridge project, but there is a lot of work still to be done.

Bridge PEL Study

Sarah Swedburg, from Bolton and Menk, shared her company’s work so far on the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. 

Bolton and Menk was charged with considering the long term vision of the Hwy. 10 corridor. This will take a lot of planning and environmental analysis. 

The primary goal of the project is to ensure vehicle safety, with a secondary consideration being in bike and pedestrian safety. 

So far, the company and the community partners are considering four possible solutions. The first option is to do nothing at all, which is an idea being carried forward mainly as a comparison rather than a legitimate solution that is being considered. 

The next possibility is to add another bridge next to the Hwy. 25 bridge between Monticello and Big Lake. Each bridge would be one way only, allowing more space for traffic to move. The benefits of this plan are twofold: there will be a minimal environmental impact to the river, and there will be no need to pay for a new interchange on I-94. The negatives of this plan include strong public opposition, as many believe it will not significantly help the transportation issues. 

Two of the alternatives include adding a new river crossing in the Becker area. Alternative D2, otherwise called the 120th St. alternative, would connect Co. Rd. 11 in Becker with 120th St. in Monticello (near the nuclear plant). This would use the existing on ramp to I-94 in the area. Alternative D3 will also cross the river in the Becker area, and is known as the Eastern Becker Alternative. It would connect 150th Ave. in Becker to Aetna Ave. in Monticello, and a new I-94 interchange would be needed at Aetna Ave. This alternative is also attractive to freight and to the public. 

Bolton & Menk is still working on their final presentation. After they make this presentation, they will open up for a 30-day public comment period. Those interested in viewing maps of the alternatives and signing up for an email alert to be notified when the public comment period opens can visit https://arcg.is/1qaWPz0. 

Hwy. 25 Overpass Redecking

Josh Daniel of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) explained the proposed redecking project for the Hwy. 25 overpass over I-94. They plan to completely redo the bridge deck, approach panels, sidewalks, and barriers on the overpass. MnDOT plans to widen the sidewalk by two feet. They will also shift the northbound turn lane to make it easier to get into. They will also be replacing the fiber between traffic signals to keep traffic moving through smoothly. 

The final plans for the project should be ready next January, with construction expected to begin in 2027. 

Hwy. 25 from Monticello to Buffalo

MnDOT’s Tom Cruikshank noted that in a 2021 corridor study, they found the stretch of Hwy. 25 from Monticello to Buffalo had some serious safety needs that were not being met. 

Some members of the public voiced that they would like to see the road become a four lane highway instead of the current two lanes, but Cruikshank stated that wasn’t being considered at this time, as they didn’t have the resources for such a large undertaking. 

Instead, to make the road safer, they will be adding two roundabouts at high-crash intersections, CaltinSt. And Wright Co. Rd. 37. They will also perform a pavement restoration. They will be completely closing off the Davidson Ave. access, which was decided in agreement with Monticello Township. 

Construction on the project should begin next year.

Sherburne County Projects

Sherburne County Public Works Director Andrew Witter stated that the county received a $1.3 million grant to create a grade-separated intersection at Sherburne Co. Rd. 11 and Hwy. 10. This plan in still in its early stages. 

He also noted they would be working on a new trail connecting Big Lake to Monticello. This project should not create any road closures, but there may be a shoulder closure. Construction should begin in mid summer 2026.