Act fast! Highway 96 study questionnaire closes October 8

By Mike Brooks, Lake Links Chair

Washington and Ramsey counties held the second of three open houses on September 24 to get public input on existing conditions and needs for the 10-plus-mile segment of Highway 96 between Highway 61 in White Bear Lake and Highway 95 in Stillwater.

I’ll give a quick overview of the open house in a minute – but first, I want to alert you that there is still time to share your experiences and comments with Washington and Ramsey County. Click here to fill out a questionnaire before the deadline of Wednesday, October 8, to ensure your experiences and ideas for the corridor are heard.

Part of Washington County’s due diligence after taking back its segment of Highway 96 between Dellwood and Stillwater in 2023 was to organize a study of the corridor and get public input. According to Washington County, the purpose of the study “is to identify potential future improvements along Highway 96.”  In other words, this is a whiteboard session to collect ideas, not a final report. The study organizers included three public open house sessions.

The third open house has no date as yet, though a Washington County spokesperson has said it will be held in late 2025 or early 2026.

The September 24 event was very well organized, with multiple graphics lining the room.  Engineers from both counties and study partner MnDOT were in attendance ready to answer questions. In the center of the presentation area were lunch tables with long paper maps of the different road segments from Highway 61 to Highway 95. Ramsey County bought into the study to include the MnDOT-owned segment of Highway 96 in Ramsey from Highway 61 to essentially Highway 244 for analysis and public input. Participants could write on the map or paste a sticky note at a specific point to call out an issue or a solution.

Washington County has posted the many graphical views and information online for viewing. When you go to this link, you will see multiple maps of the highway corridor that were presented at the open house with in-depth information about the many impacts on the corridor.

Scroll down under the “Proactive Safety Improvements” map and click on “Intersection Improvements” to see ideas, including roundabouts, to resolve speed and intersection safety. Detailed crash rating information for intersections and locations where a potential turn lane is a consideration. Remember, at this point, these are ideas being suggested.

The "Multimodal Improvements" section presents many visuals to understand the different options for trails to be fitted to the unique requirements of different segments along the corridor.

Ramsey County Deputy Director for Program Delivery John Mazzitello was clear with me that the segment of Highway 96 in Ramsey is a MnDOT project, not a county one. Ramsey County has specific corridor/safety criteria MnDOT must first address before the county will advance a turnback discussion with the state. The message is that MnDOT needs to take the lead on the segment of the highway in Ramsey County.

The more people who get involved, understand the issues, see the ideas to solve safety issues in the corridor and then complete the questionnaire, the better. The counties are looking for your input! Residents and supporters of the Lake Links project can be the difference because your opinion will influence decision-making for this vital link in the around-the-lake trail and for regional connection to the Gateway and Brown's Creek state trails.

Please take a moment to provide your input now!