DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update And Direction On County State Aid Highway 54 Expansion In Ravenna Township, County Project 54-011
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide an update to County leadership on the preliminary design layout for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 54 expansion and seek further direction on the potential inclusion of a multi-use trail.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system throughout the County and the region, Dakota County, the City of Hastings, the Prairie Island Indian Community, and Ravenna Township are advancing County Project (CP) 54-011. This project will reconstruct CSAH 54 (Ravenna Trail) from the Hastings city limits to CSAH 68 (200th Street E) and includes a planned roundabout at the CSAH 54/68 intersection (Attachment: Location Map). Dakota County is the lead agency, and construction is scheduled for 2030, subject to funding.
County State Aid Highway 54 is a narrow, high-speed, two-lane rural highway with a history of crashes and limited pedestrian infrastructure. The existing roadway lacks turn lanes and standard shoulders, which impacts safety and access. The reconstruction will:
• Replace aging infrastructure
• Improve traffic safety and mobility
• Enhance access to adjacent communities
• Include features such as turn lanes, widened shoulders, culvert replacements, flood resilience improvements, and a roundabout
In addition to these improvements, the County and its partners are evaluating the feasibility of a multi-use trail along CSAH 54. This trail would extend the Mississippi River Greenway to Dakota County’s trail system to the southern boundary of Dakota County near Prairie Island with future potential to connect to the downtown of Red Wing. This vision aligns with the Hastings-to-Red Wing Trail Master Plan, developed with Goodhue County in 2009.
County staff provided an initial update to the County Board on May 13, 2025, outlining three preliminary design options:
1. Reconstruction with paved trail
2. Reconstruction without trail
3. Reconstruction with graded (unpaved) trail
The board has requested additional information regarding the cost implications of “benching in” a trail-specifically costs associated with retaining walls, grading and required easements.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☒ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Imran Ahmed