Cliff Road/ I-35W Southbound Ramp Improvements

October 29, 2022 Project Update

The project was opened to traffic on October 29th. Thank you to all users of this interchange for your patience as we made these upgrades. There is still an extension of the trail over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that is expected to occur next spring.

Preliminary Schedule & Impacts

June 15, 2022 – Building demolition on the former Knox site begins.

July 5, 2022 (Stage 1) - Road construction continues on Dupont Avenue. Dupont Avenue CLOSED to thru traffic from Lady Bird Lane N to Cliff Road W, click here to view the Stage 1 detour route. The Dupont Road closure is expected to last about 2 months.

Late August/early September (Stage 2) – Dupont is expected to be open to traffic and the I35 W South Ramps will be closed to traffic (for 90 days) to complete reconstruction of the roadway and construction of the roundabout. Click here to view the Stage 2 detour routes.

June 2022 Virtual Open House

The city of Burnsville in partnership with Dakota County recently held a virtual open house to go over construction details including staging, timeline, access, impacts, detours, and more.

To watch a recording of the virtual open house, click here.

February 2021 Project Update

Watch this video for an overview of this project and its current progress. Construction is expected to begin without major traffic impacts in fall 2021 and continue in spring 2022 with necessary traffic detours in the area.

January 2022 Project Update

Plans and specifications have been completed. We are working to finalize an agreement with the Union Pacific Railway and then can start project bidding. We are anticipating the project to start this (2022) construction season. More information will be upcoming on construction details, and timing as it becomes available.

Project Overview

The Cliff Road at I-35W South Ramp Improvement Project is a city led project that reconstructs the existing thru-stop (T) intersection at the intersection of I-35W Southbound Ramp and Cliff Road W (CSAH 32) to a roundabout approximately 200’ south. The project extends Cliff Road W (CSAH 32) to provide improved access and mobility to the adjacent industrial area generating high volumes of freight and commuter traffic immediately adjacent to the I-35W corridor. The immediate need for this project is to remedy the existing inadequate sight lines and speed reduction distance for high speed traffic exiting the freeway, primarily heavy commercial trucks accessing the industrial area.

This city-led project is being completed in partnership with Dakota County and MnDOT. The total estimated project cost of the Cliff Road at I-35W South Ramp Improvement Project is $6.5 million dollars. The City has secured $3 million in funding from federal and state grants. The remainder will be funded by City of Burnsville and Dakota County.