Hwy 7 is an important east-west artery that runs through the heart of Minnetonka and beyond. It rolls westward to St. Bonifacius, touching five more cities and two counties. Safety failures–including numerous fatalities and serious injury incidents, and increasing traffic volume, have pushed MnDOT and local agencies to address the design of the corridor. The traffic volume varies depending on the location, time of day, and day of the week. However, Minnetonka reports that the volume going through the city is approximately 40,000 per day. In 2010 MnDOT had traffic counts as high as 55,000/day in some locations. (See MN State Hwy 7, Wikipedia, Footnote #11).
MnDOT is taking major steps to improve the design. Public safety officials and local mayors have been meeting to identify and communicate concerns to MnDOT. This collaborative approach highlights the importance of Hwy 7 as a major artery in the west metro.
“We continue to invest in ways that will make Hwy 7 a safe and efficient way to travel…
now and into the future,” – Brad Wiersum, Mayor, Minnetonka
A MnDOT road safety audit was completed in 2022. The audit recommended a full plan for future improvements. Results were presented to the Shorewood City Council on Aug. 22, 2022. The audit recommended:
Safety improvements
Access management:
Pedestrian and bicycle facilities
ADA enhancements
Signage and lighting
Signal improvements
The South Lake Public Safety Department was joined by the Minnetonka Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to form the Hwy 7 Safety Coalition. The SLPSD submitted a grant application to MnDot and as a result, the coalition has received $450,000 for “enhanced enforcement, education, roadway design.”
In August 2024 the Shorewood city administrator, Marc Nevinski, announced that $200,000 was allocated to the city to establish a transportation management agency (TMA). A transportation management association (TMA) is an organization that manages transportation needs for a community, district, or venue. TMAs are also known as transportation management organizations (TMOs).The TMO assures that the perspectives of local communities are considered in planning and improvements along the corridor, represent shared goals for a corridor and help to seek state and federal funding. He said the organization of the agency is in process.
Possible changes, based on recommendations made by various study groups and user/resident feedback, are not expected to begin construction until 2029.
For those interested, Hwy 7 was first built in the early 1933-34. Parts of it remained gravel until the late 1950s. It extends from St. Louis Park to near the Minnesota-South Dakota border.
More reading:
Future of Highway 7
History of Highway 7
Minnetonka Police Lead in Hwy. 7 Coalition
Related study: Hwy 7 St. Louis Park to Hollywood Township
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