DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Vote No Regarding Construction Of Three Noise Walls Adjacent To County State Aid Highways 50 And 5 Near Interstate 35 Interchange Ramps, County Project 50-33
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the County Engineer/Transportation Division Director to vote no regarding the construction of three noise walls adjacent to County State Aid Highways (CSAH) 50 and CSAH 5 and their multi-use trails near the Interstate 35 (I-35) interchange ramps, County Project (CP) 50-33.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, staff is proceeding with work on CP 50-33 which includes the reconstruction of the bridges and the interchange at Interstate 35 and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 50/CSAH 5 to replace the existing deficient interchange and coordinate with strategic capacity needs on I-35 (Attachment: Project Location Map). County staff received authorization to submit the recommended layout to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for review by Resolution No. 25-067 (January 21, 2025). The project is included in the adopted 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Ten noise walls along CSAH 50/5 and I-35 were studied as part of the project, in accordance with federal and state traffic noise-mitigation requirements. Noise wall construction decisions are based on the eligibility of the project as determined by changes to noise conditions and consideration of three factors: (1) noise reduction design goals, (2) cost-effectiveness of specific noise wall segments, and (3) the inputs from benefited residents and property owners through a weighted vote. Cost-effective noise reduction from the construction of a wall must cost less than or equal to $78,500 per benefited receptor (receptors represent locations where persons are exposed to noise). A benefit is possible when a receptor is projected to achieve a reduction of 5 decibels or more with the noise wall.
For CP 50-33, three of ten noise walls analyzed did not meet the noise reduction goal or the cost-effectiveness criteria. Seven noise walls were considered feasible to solicit input from property owners and tenants who could receive a noise benefit from a future noise wall. Voting information was provided to those eligible to vote by March 11, 2026, and voting will remain open until April 10, 2026.
The Federal Highway Administration and MnDOT have determined that noise reduction objectives apply to multi-use trails parallel to roadways when trail users are impacted by a project-related change in noise. Some segments of the trails next to CSAH 50 and CSAH 5 will exceed noise standards due to their proximity to roadway traffic. Such multi-use trails are proposed for construction along both sides of CSAH 50/5. Trails on both sides will allow safe accommodation of walkers, runners, and cyclists and will support multimodal transportation use of the corridors. The trails on both sides along the County roadway corridor are consistent with the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan.
Noise walls 1, 2, and 5 have been identified for voting by Dakota County based on the potential reduction of noise levels for trail users (Attachment: Map of Three Noise Wall Segments). Dakota County is the property owner of the trails associated with these three possible noise walls. To move forward into final design and construction of a noise wall, the specific wall segment must receive 50 percent or more of the total eligible voting points.
The estimated total cost of the three noise walls for Dakota County consideration and control of decision-making by voting is $578,340 ($131,040 for wall 1, $302,940 for wall 2, and $144,360 for wall 5). These walls will also generate ongoing maintenance issues and costs including difficulty with mowing close to walls, snow storage, trail icing during winter, litter accumulation, graffiti, and possible vandalism.
Staff considered the potential benefits of walls 1, 2, and 5 for trail users versus the disadvantages. All three of the walls were presented to Dakota County for voting because of traffic noise reduction for trail users. However, the walls have other impacts not considered desirable. For example, all three would block views between the County roadway and adjacent residences and businesses. Specifically, wall 1 would provide traffic noise-reduction benefit for trail users only, while providing no benefit for residences farther from the roadway. Walls 2 and 5 would block the visibility of nearby businesses from the roadway while providing minimal noise reduction benefit at the business locations. Based on the technical analysis and input received through stakeholder outreach, staff has concluded that the costs and disadvantages of the three potential noise walls will outweigh the noise-reduction benefits for trail users.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the Transportation Director/County Engineer be authorized to vote no regarding construction of walls numbered 1, 2, and 5 located along trails adjacent to CSAH 50 and CSAH 5. With Dakota County the property owner for these wall locations, voting no will result in a decision to not build the noise walls.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is no change required to the 2026-2030 CIP or to FTEs, particularly with this recommended action reducing exposure to project construction costs.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County, the City of Lakeville, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are proceeding with County Project (CP) 50-33; and
WHEREAS, the proposed CP 50-33 improvements will enhance long-term mobility and safety and accommodate future growth; and
WHEREAS, noise walls along County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 50, CSAH 5, and Interstate 35 are under consideration as part of the project due to federal and state requirements; and
WHEREAS, noise wall construction decisions are based on the eligibility of the project as determined by changes to noise conditions and consideration of three factors: (1) noise reduction design goals, (2) cost-effectiveness of specific noise wall segments, and (3) the inputs from benefited residents and property owners through a weighted vote; and
WHEREAS, seven of ten wall segments identified for CP 50-33 were considered feasible to solicit voting from property owners and tenants who could receive a noise benefit from a future noise wall; and
WHEREAS, voting information was provided to those eligible to vote by March 11, 2026, and voting will remain open until April 10, 2026; and
WHEREAS, noise reduction objectives apply to multi-use trails parallel to roadways when trail users are impacted by a project-related change in noise, with some segments of the trails next to CSAH 50 and CSAH 5 expected to exceed noise standards due to their proximity to the roadway traffic; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is the property owner of the trails associated with three possible noise walls, identified in the design study as walls 1, 2, and 5; and
WHEREAS, staff considered the potential benefits and disadvantages of walls 1, 2, and 5 for trail users and others; and
WHEREAS, the estimated total construction cost of the three noise walls for Dakota County consideration and control of decision-making by voting is $578,340; and
WHEREAS, the three walls will also generate ongoing maintenance issues and costs including difficulty with mowing close to walls, snow storage, trail icing during winter, litter accumulation, graffiti, and possible vandalism; and
WHEREAS, staff considered other factors, including input from stakeholders, and concluded the costs and disadvantages of the three potential noise walls will outweigh the noise-reduction benefits for trail users; and
WHEREAS, with Dakota County the property owner for these wall locations, voting no will result in a decision to not build the three noise wall segments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Engineer/Transportation Division Director to vote no regarding the construction of three segments of noise wall along County State Aid Highways 50 and 5 for County Project 50-33 in Lakeville.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-067; 1/21/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Map of Three Noise Wall Segments
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: Doug Abere