Nicollet Avenue reconstruction in Richfield

We're rebuilding Nicollet Avenue (County Road 52) in Richfield from 66th Street to 77th Street. When the work is done, the road will be smoother, safer, and easier for everyone to use.

Construction updates

Monday, June 1 through late fall

Nicollet Avenue closed to through traffic between 70th and 77th streets.

Regional traffic will be detoured around the project area using 66th Street, Portland Avenue and 77th Street. View the detour map (PDF, 1MB).

Note: Nicollet Avenue is closed between 78th Street and American Boulevard as part of MnDOT’s I-494 project. It's scheduled to reopen to traffic in fall 2026. Learn more about I-494 construction.

Timeline

2026: Construction on the south end of the project area, between 70th and 77th streets.

2027: Construction on the north end of the project, between 66th and 70th streets.

Using Nicollet Avenue during construction

Walking and biking

Sidewalks on at least one side of Nicollet Avenue will remain open during construction. People may be routed around active construction areas at times for safety, and some areas will temporarily have a rough or uneven surface.

Transit

Bus stops will be temporarily relocated during construction. For information on affected stops, visit Metro Transit's Rider Alerts, or contact your transit service.

Driving

You'll be able to drive to homes, businesses, the library, community center, and other destinations. At times local traffic may be on a narrow single lane or a gravel surface.

People driving will be able to cross Nicollet on local streets unless crews are working at that location. 73rd and 76th will each close during roundabout construction, but not at the same time.

Living in the construction zone

If you live in the construction zone, we'll maintain access to your home. Contact the project manager with any specific concerns.

Visiting a business

You can still visit destinations along Nicollet Avenue, like businesses, the Augsburg Park Library and places of worship. When construction affects an entrance, we'll provide an alternative route. If you're visiting a business, contact them directly to see if there's a change in access or information you need to know to park.

About the project

We're rebuilding Nicollet Avenue in Richfield from 66th Street to 77th Street. When the work is done, the road will be smoother, safer, and easier for everyone to use. It will include:

• One driving lane in each direction, plus a center lane for left turns
• Roundabouts at 67th, 70th, 73rd, and 76th Streets
• Fresh asphalt for a smoother ride

Walking, biking, and rolling will also be easier and safer with:

• Separate bike paths on each side of Nicollet Avenue
• New sidewalks on both sides of the street
• Better crosswalks with new curbs and ramps, updated walk signals, and raised areas to help people cross more safely

The area will look nicer and be more environmentally friendly thanks to:

• Wider green boulevards between the road and sidewalks, which also help with stormwater quality
• New streetlights and pedestrian lighting, along with more landscaped areas
• New trees, coordinated with the City of Richfield, that will be planted after construction ends

Community involvement

We met with residents, stakeholders and businesses between 2023 and 2025 to hear how Nicollet Avenue could better serve the community. We coordinated closely with the Richfield Transportation Commission, and used in-person open houses, online open houses, pop-up events and an online survey. The community feedback, along with technical data and city and county policies, was used to create the final plan for Nicollet Avenue.

• See the project layout (PDF, 3MB)
• Learn more at the project engagement website

Related projects

Nicollet Avenue reconstruction in Bloomington

I-494 Richfield to Edina