Transformative Chaska Downtown Project Wins ASCE-MN Award
We are thrilled to announce the Chaska Downtown Highway 41 Improvements project has received the ASCE-MN Project of the Year Award for 2025. This award recognizes outstanding civil engineering projects that significantly contribute to the profession and the community.
Project Overview
The City of Chaska, in collaboration with Carver County, MnDOT, and Bolton & Menk, embarked on a transformative project to revitalize downtown Chaska by addressing the challenges posed by State Highway 41 and County Highway 61. These highways, while crucial for regional traffic, created a difficult environment for residents and visitors. Through strong partnerships, flexible design, and a collaborative approach, the project successfully balanced local and regional transportation needs.
Key Achievements
- Enhanced Local Access and Pedestrian Safety: The project focused on improving pedestrian crossings and regional trail connections while reducing lanes to create more streetscape and pedestrian space. This included the installation of traffic calming measures, such as reducing four lanes to two, adding a wider raised center median, vertical streetscape elements, and dynamic speed signs.
- Improved Non-Motorized Facilities: Significant enhancements were made to pedestrian infrastructure, including paseos, extensive ADA improvements, and other walkways/pedestrian connections. Uncontrolled crossings at 1st and 3rd Streets now feature a median refuge to shorten crossing distances and allow for safe two-stage crossings.
- Environmental and Cultural Preservation: The transformative project prioritized environmental considerations, including protecting the Northern Long-eared bat, containing and removing contaminated soil, and treating stormwater before release into the Minnesota River. Additionally, the project lies within two historic districts and borders known indigenous burial mounds, with efforts made to protect these cultural resources.
- Construction Quality: The project emphasized high-quality surface elements, such as inlaid brick pavers, masonry pillars, and decorative railings, ensuring a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing outcome.
Community Impact
This transformative project demonstrates a significant contribution to the civil engineering profession by prioritizing public health, safety, and welfare. The project team engaged the public on future system and public space improvements, translating the city’s vision for downtown into detailed engineering plans. The innovative design and construction techniques, along with the project’s commitment to environmental protection and cultural preservation, set a new standard for urban transportation projects.
Award Criteria
The ASCE-MN Project of the Year award is presented to an outstanding civil engineering project recently constructed in Minnesota, with significant importance related to design resourcefulness, construction innovation, and impact on environmental considerations.
Project Team
- Project Owner: City of Chaska, Minnesota
- Project Designer: Bolton & Menk, Inc.
- General Contractor: S.M. Hentges & Sons
Conclusion
The successful partnership between the City of Chaska, Carver County, MnDOT, and Bolton & Menk resulted in a transformative vision for downtown Chaska that balances local and regional transportation needs. This project deserves recognition for its exemplary demonstration of collaboration, innovation, and community impact.
Learn more about how this innovative project established a safer, more beautiful downtown Chaska.
