SLP Breaking Ground on Hwy. 7, Louisiana Avenue Interchange

The City of St. Louis Park is set to break ground on the long-planned overhaul to the Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue interchange.

SLP officials, alongside Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), will break ground during a ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5.

The project includes the construction of a grade-separated interchange at the Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue intersection to improve access, safety and operations for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. The overhaul consists of a tight diamond interchange configuration, with roundabouts along Louisiana Avenue for traffic control at the Lake Street and Walker Street intersections.
Wednesday morning's groundbreaking ceremony will include speeches from MnDOT Metro District Engineer Scott McBride, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Sanger and City Manager Tom Harmening.

Any members of the public who would like to attend the groundbreaking—it will be held at the southwest corner of Louisiana Avenue and Highway 7—can park at the nearby intersection of Louisiana Avenue and West Lake Street. 

The new interchange, which was designed in conjunction with consultant Short Eliot Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) includes a Highway 7 bridge over Louisiana Avenue. In addition, the project will reconfigure West Lake and Walker streets, add pedestrian and bicycle upgrades and install artistic lighting and architectural features into the space.

Construction is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2014.