The Edina City Council awarded a $22.6 million contract to Ames Construction for the Vernon Avenue Highway 100 interchange project during its April 16 meeting, with construction set to begin April 23.

The project will create a new tight diamond interchange with two bridges - one over Vernon Avenue and the CPKC rail line, and another over Highway 100. Engineering Director Chad Milner said the work aims to improve traffic operations, bike and pedestrian safety, and create potential space for expanding the civic campus. Construction is scheduled for completion by November 15, with roads reopening at that time.

The $28.2 million total project cost will be split between federal funding ($11.2 million), Hennepin County, the city, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. City funding of approximately $11.2 million will come from municipal state aid, debt service, utility funds, and other sources including potential state bonding.

During construction, Vernon Avenue will be closed between Interlachen Boulevard and Grange Road, with detours directing traffic to Eden Avenue for east-west connections. Milner emphasized extensive communication efforts including 9,000 postcards to residents, business-specific outreach, and bi-weekly public meetings to help navigate traffic impacts.

The council also continued public hearings on two development projects to May 6: the Opus Development headquarters at 5100 Eden Avenue and the Lincoln and Londonderry Small Area Plan. Additionally, the council directed staff to prepare an agreement with Hennepin County to potentially transfer the city's assessing services, which could reduce the general fund levy by approximately $500,000 or about 1 percent.