MnDOT, Carver County, Norwood Young America mark Highway 212 completion with video

ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Motorists can get a bird’s eye view of the improvements to Highway 212 in Norwood Young America with a new video of the project released today by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Carver County and the city of Norwood Young America in lieu of an in-person opening celebration.

The video features the nearly completed Highway 212 project’s safety and accessibility improvements, biking and walking trails, a new underpass and a new roundabout at Highway 5/Highway 25/County Road 33. Highway 212 opened to traffic Nov. 25. The project, which began in June, will be completed in spring 2021 when crews finish landscaping. The Norwood Young America community is planning a formal celebration for the project in summer 2021.

“We thank the community of Norwood Young America for its patience during construction,” said Michael Barnes, MnDOT Metro District Engineer. “This year provided unique challenges for businesses, area residents and construction crews. We all look forward to the opportunities of the new road and new trail in the new year.”

“We are so pleased with the completed improvements on Highway 212 and the new roundabout on Highway 5/25/CR33,” said Carol Lagergren, Norwood Young America mayor. “The completed improvements make highway travel safer for the thousands of cars and freight haulers that use this important corridor of commerce every day. In addition, the updated turn lanes and lights at each intersection addressed the legitimate concerns of our local commuters. The highlight of the project, however, is the new underpass and trail system that provides safer options for walkers, runners and bikers. Overall, the project was a huge success and we thank MnDOT and the contractors for their hard work!”

The Norwood Young America Highway 212 project is one piece of a cooperative partnership with Carver County to improve Highway 212 for motorists, pedestrians and commuters traveling the highway to and from the Twin Cities.

“We look forward to a continued partnership with Carver County with the expansion of Highway 212 from Chaska to Cologne,” Barnes said.

“The safety of Highway 212 remains vital to Norwood Young America and western Carver County residents,” said James Ische, Carver County Commissioner, District 5. “This first step to address some of those safety concerns and bring added connectivity to our community serves as a positive step forward. We know more work remains; in particular, the Highway 212/51 intersection, as well as making Highway 212 a four-lane road throughout the county to improve safety and commerce activity. However, the completion of this project shows how we can accomplish our shared goals with solid partnerships across the board.”