More Road, Lane Closures to Begin Monday in Apple Valley

Apple Valley has "not seen the full intensity of construction" along Cedar Avenue, Apple Valley Director of Public Works Todd Blomstrom said at Thursday's city council meeting.

But this week, more of the work to expand Cedar for Bus Rapid Transit will spread to Apple Valley, and with it comes some lane and temporary road closures. A portion of Galaxie Avenue also will be closed on Tuesday to install a new storm sewer pipe.

Cedar Avenue

The outside lane of northbound Cedar Avenue will be closed beginning Monday from 160th Street West north to 147th Street West in Apple Valley, Blomstrom said. This will allow crews to restripe the lanes, and then build barriers similar to what residents have seen on the southbound side of the road.

Temporary closures to accommodate the road projects will happen over time. Currently scheduled are:

• Monday through Saturday (July 18-23): 153rd Street West, west of Cedar Avenue. Detours: 150th Street West (Co. Rd. 42), Whitney Drive
• July 26-29: 155th Street West/Whitney Drive, west of Cedar Avenue. Detours: 157th, 153rd
• July 26-29: 157th Street West, east of Cedar Avenue. Detour: 155th to Gaslight Lane

To follow Cedar Avenue construction updates, visit Dakota County's website for the project.

Galaxie Park/Avenue

Apple Valley residents might have noticed road work occurring on Galaxie as well, which is related to efforts to expand the capacity of the pond in Galaxie Park.

Galaxie Avenue will be closed on Tuesday from 139th Street West north to Upper 136th so crews can install a new storm sewer pipe, City Engineer Colin Manson said at Thursday's city council meeting. Traffic will be rerouted onto McAndrews and 140th Street West over to Johnny Cake Ridge Road, he said.

So far, crews have worked on grading the pond, which is about 25 years old, to increase how much rain it can hold, Manson said. The pond flooded on Aug. 13 last year.

In the next two weeks, crews will work on the northeast side of the pond, Manson said. When works is done, the area will be reseeded and all the park facilities—playground equipment, baseball field, ice rink and other green space—will be re-established, he said.