City officials say the interchange near I-35E is too dangerous as currently configured, but residents say the proposed alternative will impact their quality of life.
MINNEAPOLIS — To fix what city leaders call a dangerous intersection, officials in Little Canada have proposed the reconfiguration of a frontage road near I-35E, although some residents and business owners are pushing back against the plan.
The proposal, which would total more than $10 million from various funding sources, is in the early stages. However, according to a preliminary design presented to the city council last month, a stretch of Country Drive near the highway would be moved about a block west, with a new roundabout implemented to redirect traffic northbound.
City Administrator Chris Heineman said the intersection near I-35E, Country Drive and Little Canada Road is an “area of conflict.” Citing a high rate of crashes, including two recent ones involving bikes, he said drivers …