Hennepin County has announced its 2008 road construction plans and states that construction on Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie is expected to begin in fall 2008.

The county has $78 million in new construction projects slated, including the following:

* Pioneer Trail (CSAH 1), Eden Prairie – This project provides for the reconstruction and widening of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 1 between a point west of Shetland Road to east of Trunk Highway (TH) 212. The new roadway will be four lanes of traffic with a median, turning lanes and bituminous pedestrian trails. The work is expected to start in the fall of 2008 and continue through the summer of 2010. Through traffic at reduced speeds will be maintained during the project.

* Shady Oak Road (CSAH 61), Minnetonka – The project consists of the reconstruction of Shady Oak Road from Bren Road to CSAH 3 (Excelsior Boulevard). The main improvements include widening the road from two lanes to four lanes with turning lanes and sidewalks. The work will consist of bridge replacement and widening, curb and gutter, retaining walls, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain and signal systems. Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2008 and continue until the summer of 2010. Traffic will be maintained through the project with short term closures of  K-Tel Drive, Smetana Drive and Dominick Drive.  Marked detours will be provided.

Other projects are on Lake Street, Lyndale Avenue and Main Street Northeast in Minneapolis, Excelsior Boulevard and Minnetonka Boulevard (bridge) in St. Louis Park, County Road 19 in Corcoran, Highway 19 trail in Medina, Bottineau Boulevard in Robbinsdale, County Road 101 in Plymouth, Silver Lake Road in St. Anthony and Goose Lake Road in Champlin and Dayton.

For information, visit www.hennepin.us and search for “road construction locator.”