Dakota County is partnering with the City of Eagan and Independent School District 196 on narrowing Diffley Road (County Road 30) to one lane of traffic in each direction between Lexington Avenue (County Road 43) and Braddock Trail. The project will also include the construction of two single lane roundabouts at Daniel Drive and Braddock Trail, a new access to Eagan High School from Daniel Drive and Eagan High School parking lot improvements.
Current Project Layout - September 2020
Background
In 2019-2020, Dakota County, the City of Eagan and Independent School District 196 partnered on the
Diffley Road School Area Improvements study. The project developed short- and long-term improvements to address safety and mobility concerns along Diffley Road. The key objectives are to:
- Increase pedestrian safety and connections
- Increase awareness of the school area
- Provide safe facilities
- Lower vehicle speeds
- Reduce pedestrian and vehicle conflict points
The study included an evaluation of three options: Diffley Road lane reduction with roundabouts, Diffley Road lane reduction with traffic signals and the Diffley Road underpass. Using the key objectives for guidance, the partnering agencies staff made a technical recommendation that Diffley Road lane reduction with roundabouts best addresses those objectives.
The recommended concept layout and joint powers agreement for design was approved by the Dakota County Board (June 23 and 30, 2020). The agreement was approved by the Eagan City Council (July 7, 2020) and Independent School District 196 School Board (July 27, 2020).
Approved Project Concept
Project funding update
The state bonding bill was signed into law on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and included $4 million in funds for this project. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2021 and scheduled to be complete by late fall. The construction cost is currently estimated at $4.7 million.
The project team is working through final design details and construction staging plans to allow the most impactful construction activities to occur outside school months. In January 2021, there will be a public information event to learn about the construction staging and final construction plans. Construction staging plans are anticipated to be made available for contractor bids in March 2021.
Public information opportunity – Jan. 29–Feb. 12, 2021
The project team is hosting an online information opportunity from Jan. 29 through Feb. 12, 2021 to share the final Diffley Road (County Road 30) plans.
Live Virtual Events
The project team is hosting three virtual meetings as part of the public information opportunity. The meetings will be held on:
- Monday, Feb. 1, 5–6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 2, noon–1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 4, 5-6:30 p.m.
To register for one of the virtual meetings, click on the buttons below. Each meeting will include a live presentation from the project team and time for a question and answer session. The meetings will be recorded and available on the project site.
Register for Feb. 1 meeting
Register for Feb. 2 meeting
Register for Feb. 4 meeting
Project information opportunity – Sept. 11–28, 2020
Thank you to everyone for coming to learn about project design details and project schedule updates for the Diffley Road (County Road 30) School Area Improvements project. The information opportunities included a virtual comment period from Sept. 11–28, 2020 and an in-person opportunity on the afternoon of Sept. 16, 2020 in the Dakota Hills Middle School/Eagan High School south parking lot.
Below are short project videos, the display boards and a summary of comments.
View the Public Information Opportunity Summary
Watch videos
View project videos
View information display boards
Diffley Road Informational Display Boards
Review interactive map
See feedback on the interactive map
Design work
On June 30, 2020, the Dakota County Board adopted the Diffley Road School Area Improvements concept layout and authorized a design contract with Bolton and Menk, Inc. for the proposed improvements.
The design work will include more detailed analysis of pedestrian crossings, including an enhanced crosswalk at the Diffley Marketplace, enhanced pedestrian lighting at crosswalks and corridor lighting along the roadway.
For more information, contact Jenna Fabish, project manager, at 952-891-7123 or
jenna.fabish@co.dakota.mn.us.
Other design work
The City of Eagan and ISD 196 are partnering on the Braddock Trail School Driveway Improvements Project. This project will provide safer pedestrian and bicycle crossings of Braddock Trail and the three entrances to Dakota Hills Middle School and Eagan High School in addition to improving parking lot traffic circulation. To learn more about this project, go to the
City of Eagan website.
Provide input
Complete a project feedback form
Anticipated project timeline
Preliminary design: Summer–fall 2020
Public information meeting: Sept. 11-28, 2020 (including in-person event Sept. 16)
Final design: Fall 2020-spring 2021*
Public information meeting: Late 2020*
Construction: Summer 2021*
* The timing of final design and construction may be delayed as outside funding is secured.