RAMSEY, Minn. – (May 20, 2016) – From Coon Rapids to Ramsey, along Highway 10, traffic can be slow. Reports says it is about one third of the speed limit during rush hour.
But, that is in the process of changing, as area officials celebrated the opening of the new Armstrong Boulevard interchange – the first of the first of five major road projects along the corridor.
“Today we celebrate success,” said Representative Tom Emmer. “The success that this new interchange will bring, not only to the people of Ramsey, but to the surrounding communities and to our state.”
More than 60,000 cars drive on this section of road every single day.
“Highway 10 has long been Minnesota’s main street,” said Anoka County Commissioner Matt Look. “And when you couple it with [Highway] 169 and the corridor, we’re talking about the movement of tens of thousands of people and products every day.”
It’s not just the amount of travelers that is causing problems. This corridor also has a crash rate that is twice as high as similar roadways.
“A total of 1621 crashes on the Highway 10 corridor over the past ten years,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “Over a four month period in 2012, four Minnesotans died just trying to cross Highway 10.”
To solve these problems, funding came from all of levels government.
“This project is a prime example of how we work, which is in partnership with our city, state, local and federal government, along with those leaders in order to actually get something done,” said Anoka County Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah.
“I think everyone in this room knows that these investments in transit and transportation are not partisan issues, they are economic development issues,” said Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith.
Future projects along the corridor include: adding interchanges at Ramsey Boulevard, Sunfish Lake Boulevard, and Thurston & Fairoak Avenues. The plan also calls for adding a highway lane in each direction between Round Lake Boulevard and Hanson Boulevard.
