Small stretch of highway promises big impact on future of MN roads

It dwarfs in comparison to road revamps like the Crosstown Project, or Unweave the weave.

But what the reconstruction of the 3 and a half mile MnROAD project lacks in size, it makes up for in potential impact. Research projects being started here could change the way highways and city streets are designed around the world.

"It's not a research facility in a lab somewhere," explained MnROAD Operational Engineer Ben Worel, "it's actual construction equipment, construction materials, and it's also out in the environment we live in. So we can see in an accelerated fashion how roads perform, and how we can take that out into our cities and streets."

The 3 and a half mile stretch that diverts traffic off I-94 Westbound near Albertville was first opened in 1994, along with an oval 'low volume' test track. Phase two is a 10.9 million dollar project, that will include 20 major research projects, and the rebuilding of 35 test sections this year alone.

"We're looking at how to build things better, faster, and more cost effective," said Worel.

Partnerships have become a big part of the MnRoad research effort. States across the U-S are working jointly with engineers and designers here in Minnesota on researching everything from pavement thickness to road base material and composition.

Crews will eventually build a secondary, residential-type street using pervious pavement that absorbs water, instead of sending it running directly into rivers, lakes, and watersheds.

"The people of Minnesota are getting great value, not only by learning the products that will work, but the products that fail in this climate," insisted Fred Corrigan, Executive Director of the Aggregate and Readymix Association of Minnesota.

"Designers want to be able to come out and stand on these products, see them work and kick it around themselves."

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By Dana Thiede, KARE 11 News

(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)

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