Originally published in the Park Bugle, December 2025.
As the Minnesota Department of Transportation prepares for a full closure and reconstruction of Highway 280 in 2026, SAPCC’s Transportation Committee Co-Chairs Pat Thompson and Scott Jensen led a small group of neighbors and officials on a guided look at the Raymond Avenue and Energy Park Drive intersection – an area expected to experience heavier traffic during the detour period.
Participants included Ramsey County Commissioner Garrison McMurtrey, his aide Doua Yang-Hernandez, and County Public Works Director Brian Isaacson, who listened closely to residents’ concerns and shared thoughtful questions about pedestrian crossings, truck routes, and traffic flow. It was great to see the Commissioner so engaged with neighbors and eager to understand how the 280 project will affect daily life in the community.
The discussion focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety, potential increases in semi-truck use, and the importance of keeping the corridor safe and connected. MnDOT’s 280 project will include major bridge work, resurfacing, drainage improvements, and stormwater upgrades between I-94 and I-35W, with local traffic reroutes expected on Raymond Avenue, Territorial Road, Hampden Avenue, and Energy Park Drive.
Pat Thompson noted, “This isn’t just a transportation project – it’s a community project. We want to make sure that when 280 closes, our neighborhood remains safe and connected for everyone – walkers, bikers, and drivers alike.”
SAPCC will continue working with MnDOT and Ramsey County to ensure residents stay informed and community voices help shape safety solutions before and during construction. Watch for a phone number to report trouble spots that may develop as construction happens, April–November 2026.