BLAINE, Minn. – (March 25, 2016) – 105th Avenue connects Highway 65 with Radisson Road. But beyond that, it also allows more than 4 million people per year to reach the National Sports Center. The road is worn down, and city wants to rebuild it. The county has pledged $1.1 million to the project, and Blaine has $2.9 million ready to go. But that still leaves them short. “This project is shovel ready,” said Blaine City Manager Clark Arneson. “All we have to do is bid it and find $3 million.” And, they are hoping to find that $3 million in St. Paul. The National Sports Center is owned by the state, and the airport is operated by the state, and those two properties border a large portion of the roadway “Because sixty percent of this is state land, we are asking for state participation,” said Arneson. The road would be rebuilt as a four-lane divided highway with two roundabouts that would slow down traffic. There would be dedicated turn lanes, sidewalks, and more lights, making it safer for the thousands of soccer players that have to walk across the busy road during USA Cup. “You have to have a safe place for people to cross,” said Blaine Mayor Tom Ryan. “ At the same time, the National Sports Center is asking for $5.5 million in state bonding for improvements, and everyone agreed that doing the projects at the same time would make sense. “It’s so important to tourism and the State of Minnesota, for this county, and this city – hopefully we can get it through,” said Ryan.
