4 THE LOWDOWN
APRIL 2022
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Manning Avenue update: Highway 36 closures expected throughout April BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER
Improvements continue on the Highway 36 and Manning Avenue interchange now that road construction season has begun. The estimated $32 million project began in the spring of 2021 to address increased traffic on Highway 36 and at the Manning Avenue intersection. A traffic study performed in 2017 and 2018 found that traffic is expected to increase at the intersection over the next 20 years. The project aims to improve safety by replacing the at-grade intersection with an interchange and removing a series of stoplights. “There’s a safety component to removing the stoplights. You know people view stoplights as a safety feature, but they also have their own safety issues with them,” said Washington County Construction Engineer Gerritt Bangma. After the St. Croix Crossing bridge opened, Highway 36 now operates more like an expressway, which isn’t conducive to the backups generated at a signalized intersection. To solve this issue, the project has focused on building an interchange with ramps and an overpass to help maintain the flow of traffic on Highway 36. Last year, the bridge abutments and the bridge’s center pier were completed and the bridge beams were
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The map above shows the project’s planned improvement for Manning Avenue and Highway 36.
placed before Christmas. The project’s next major milestone will be placing the bridge deck itself, which will necessitate some temporary closures on Highway 36 this April. A pipe will be installed to convey the stormwater collected in the ponds near the interchange. That pipe will be connected to a water reuse structure. Collected stormwater will be used to water the Applewood Hills golf course, located on the northwest corner of the interchange. The stormwater reuse portion of the project will be undertaken through
a partnership between Washington County, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Browns Creek Watershed District. That installation will likely require a two-week road closure this April as well. “For the closures, we’ll do an advanced notice with signs out, and we’ll do all the social media. We're definitely big into outreach and making sure that people are expecting that there will be detour routes posted,” said Bangma. The engineer reports that the project is on schedule and is expected
to be complete by September 2022. “It’s a great project, and it’s good to be on time,” said Bangma. “The feedback we got last year was that people were impressed with the amount of work we did get done. And we're happy with it. It’s been a successful project and we’re looking forward to wrapping it up this year.” Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
*Athletes chosen by Press staff
Aspen Blasko
Hunter Lyden
Forest Lake Wrestling
Stillwater Wrestling
Aspen Blasko, Forest Lake sophomore wrestler, was one of the champions in the first-ever MSHSL state girls tournament. Blasko pinned opponents from Owatonna and Fridley on March 5 at Xcel Energy Center to capture the 107-pound title. She had a 34-9 record, including 7-9 with three pins against boys varsity, 22-0 with 12 pins against boys JV’s, and 5-0 with four pins against girls at the section qualifier and state. “She puts in a ton of time, wrestling six or seven times a week, chasing her goals,” said coach Joe Kunshier. “She deserves all the accolades she receives.” This was actually Blasko’s third state title; her first two came in meets organized by coaches.
Hunter Lyden, Stillwater senior wrestler, capped a 53-0 season by capturing his third consecutive state championship on March 5. Lyden beat Farmington’s Cole Han-Lindemyer 11-3 in the 170-pound finals, after advancing with a pin and 10-0 and 12-3 decisions. Lyden, 68-0 the last two years (missing most of last season with a rib injury), has signed with Minnesota. “Hunter is a fearless competitor,” Gopher coach Brandon Eggum said. “We are excited that he has chosen to wrestle for us. He has an athletic style and is always looking to score points.”
Daniel VanAcker
Josie St. Martin
Forest Lake Wrestling
Stillwater Hockey
Daniel VanAcker, Forest Lake senior wrestler, was state Class 3A champion at 152 pounds — after placing third in the state cross-country meet in the fall. VanAcker capped a 45-4 season by pinning Anoka’s Jacob Witaker in 5:44 in the finals at Xcel Energy Center on March 5, his third pin in four matches at state. “He’s the kid who does everything right,” coach Joe Kunshier said. “He prepares correctly, he diets the right way and he works hard.” VanAcker will be a distance runner in college with the Minnesota Gophers.
Josie St. Martin, Stillwater hockey sophomore forward, is already a three-time all-conference pick with 63 career goals and 64 assists. St. Martin led the Ponies (14-11) in scoring with 28 goals (eight on power plays) and 19 assists. She had 20 goals and 26 assists as a freshman, and 15 and 19 in eighth grade. “Josie has worked extremely hard to get where she currently is,” coach Mira Jalosuo said. “What separates her from other players is her competitiveness. I think she hates losing more than she loves winning. That’s one of the reasons she was able to reach the 100-point milestone only as a sophomore.”
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