Knutson Drive Reconstruction

Project Overview

The City is planning to reconstruct Knutson Drive (Green Avenue to Northport Drive). The project includes a new street design with curb and gutter, sidewalk, and driveway aprons. The asphalt pavement and gravel base will be replaced. The sanitary sewer and water main will remain. The project will add storm sewer and stormwater features for controlling surface water runoff.

The City is planning to resurface Knutson Drive (Heffernan Drive/Beilfuss Drive to Green Avenue). The project includes installing storm sewer from Heffernan Drive to Knutson Drive east of Green Avenue and remove and replace the asphalt pavement. 

The City is planning to resurface Green Avenue (Harper Road to Knutson Drive). The project includes removing and replacing a portion of the asphalt pavement.

Knutson Drive (Green Avenue to Northport Drive) Improvement Options:

Option #1A: 8’ parking pockets throughout the street as well as curb & gutter. By keeping the street narrow, this layout supports lowering vehicle speeds, which was noted as a priority for the neighborhood in the previous survey and the first public meeting, as well as preserves some of the trees in the right-of-way. This option would result in fewer on-street parking stalls, but previous input from the community identified on-street parking as a lower priority. This option is currently the City staff recommendation.

Option #1B: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Westport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes and 5’ sidewalks on both sides, same as option 1A) and Knutson Drive from Westport Drive to Northport Drive (2-11’ lanes vehicle lanes, 2-7’ bicycle lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). The block between Green Avenue and Westport Drive would have 8’ parking pockets (same as option 1A) with no bicycle lanes and supports lowering speeds and preserving trees in the right-of-way. The block between Westport Drive and Northport Drive would have bike lanes, which are being considered due to higher traffic volumes on this block, but this would require a wider pavement than Option 1A. Curb and gutter would be included with both layouts. 

Knutson Drive, Green Avenue to Westport Drive
 

Knutson Drive, Westport Drive to Northport Drive

Option #2A: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Northport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes, 2-8’ parking lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). This layout has wider pavement than Option 1A & 1B, which is more likely to result in higher vehicle speeds, but this option would allow for more on-street parking. This option also removes all trees in the right-of-way. Curb and gutter would be included with the layout.

Option #2B: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Westport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes, 2-8’ parking lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides) and Knutson Drive from Westport Drive to Northport Drive (2-11’ lanes vehicle lanes, 2-7’ bicycle lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). Similar to 2A, this layout is more likely to result in higher vehicle speeds due to the wider pavement, but provides more on-street parking than Option 1A & 1B, and also has bike facilities between Westport and Northport. This option also removes all trees in the right-of-way. Curb and gutter would be included with both layouts.

Knutson Drive, Green Avenue to Westport Drive

Knutson Drive, Westport Drive to Northport

Project Limits

Knutson Drive Reconstruction – Green Avenue to Northport Drive

Knutson Drive Resurfacing – Heffernan Drive/Beilfuss Drive to Green Avenue

Green Avenue Resurfacing – Knutson Drive to Harper Road

Project Schedule

Design: Summer/Fall/Winter 2023

Bids Advertised: Winter 2024

Construction: Spring/Summer 2024

Public Involvement

There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:

Public Information Meetings 

• A public information meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Nov. 29, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required. 
  • Nov. 29, 2023 Public Information Meeting Registration 
• Sept. 28, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording
• Sept. 28, 2023 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation 

Survey

• A survey is now available. Please take the survey before 5 p.m., Dec. 7, 2023. 
  Knutson Drive Reconstruction- Green Avenue- Northport Drive Survey
• A survey for this project is now available. Please take the survey by 5 p.m., Oct. 4, 2023. 
  Knutson Drive Reconstruction Survey

Mailings

A mailing will also be sent out to nearby residents and property owners informing them about the meeting and directing them to the website to register. Meeting topics include project limits, existing conditions, speed and parking studies, as well as the City’s Vision Zero and Complete Green Streets plans. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions. If you need an interpreter, translator, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this service, activity or program, please call Andrew Zwieg of the Engineering Division at 608-266-9219.

Public Informational Meeting:  Letter to property owners; Postcard to nearby residents (both mailed Sept. 6, 2023)

Si necesita un intérprete, un traductor, materiales en formatos alternativos u otros arreglos para acceder a este servicio, actividad o programa, comuníquese inmediatamente al número de teléfono que figura a continuación.

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City Process, Meetings

Transportation Commission: Dec. 13, 2023

Common Council: Information will be posted when available.
Board of Public Works: Information will be posted when available.