The Station 73 TRIP (Transit and Regional Improvement Program) has been developed to make regionally impactful improvements that will increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users in the area around Highway 55 and County Road 73.

The existing area of Highway 55 and County Road 73 poses a variety of safety hazards for pedestrians and bicyclists with no direct or safe route for them to cross Highway 55 to access city parks, regional trail systems, the Station 73 transit facility, and nearby businesses. In addition, the inadequate geometric configurations of surrounding roadways create traffic delays and safety issues for motorists, Plymouth Metrolink buses, bicyclists and pedestrians. The goal of the Station 73 TRIP is to improve transportation for all users, bolster quality of life for those who live nearby or travel through the area and facilitate reinvestment in the area.

The project will include:

• Reconstruction of approximately 3,000 feet of Highway 55 Construction of new bus stops on eastbound and westbound Highway 55
• Construction of a trail underpass across Highway 55
• Re-alignment of County Road 73 from Highway 55 to Sunset Trail
• Construction of a roundabout at the County Road 73 and Sunset Trail intersection
• Reconstruction of approximately 1,500 feet of South Shore Drive and 10th Avenue
• Construction of a roundabout at the South Shore Drive and 10th Avenue intersection
• Construction of approximately 1.2 miles of Eagle Lake Regional Trail from Luce Line Trail to 1st Avenue North and construction of other sidewalks
• Site improvements at the Station 73 transit center
• Stormwater and utility improvements within the project limits

City staff will be considering community feedback as they determine the final scope of the project.

Anticipated Schedule

• Public Hearing: March/April 2025
• Construction: Spring 2025 – fall 2026

Additional Information

• Highway 55 Feedback Postcard (PDF) - postcard mailed to properties along Highway 55 requesting feedback.
• Preliminary Notification Letter (PDF) - preliminary survey and project notification mailed on November 10, 2021.
• Project Survey Letter (PDF) - preliminary project survey and notification letter mailed on November 15, 2022.
• Design Pamphlet (PDF) – information pamphlet mailed on July 24, 2023.
• Public Engagement Board (PDF) – information board posted at Metrolink facilities and on buses.
• Tree Clearing Notification Letter (PDF) - notification mailed to affected properties.

The City of Plymouth is seeking public comment regarding plans to convert a small section of park land at South Shore Park for city street and trail use, which would enhance connectivity of the regional trail system. The conversion of the land is expected to have minimal impacts and is not expected to change the nature of the park. Public comments are due Sept. 26, 2024. Submit a comment by taking the survey below.

Background 

In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 23 774.5, the City of Plymouth is soliciting comments on a preliminary de minimis finding that South Shore Park would not be adversely impacted by the proposed project. The City of Plymouth is proposing obtaining a permanent easement of 1.19 acres of the park, of which, 0.85 acres is park property that is currently used as 10th Ave. that is not designated as transportation right-of-way.

The proposed project will construct a segment of the Eagle Lake and Bryant Lake Regional Trail Connection; improving facility access for all residents that are traveling to the park and along South Shore Drive and 10th Ave. N.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made a preliminary determination that the proposed action at South Shore Park is a Section 4(f) de minimis action in accordance with CFR 23 774.5, conditioned on public review and comment. A de minimis finding is made when uses of Section 4(f) land will have no adverse effect on the protected park and recreational resources. Comments must be submitted on or before Thursday, Sept. 26 and will become part of the official record.

The City of Plymouth completed the preliminary design for the Station 73 TRIP project and asked for feedback from the public on the final layout. View the preliminary layout/design (PDF). Results of the comments received will be posted on this page when available.

Station 73 TRIP (Transit and Regional Improvement Program) prioritizes infrastructure investments aimed at making safety, mobility and capacity improvements. The goal of the program is ultimately to improve transportation for all users, bolster quality of life for those who live nearby or travel through the area, coordinate necessary projects with available funding and facilitate reinvestment in the area. The map below shows the major investment areas and improvements originally contemplated as part of previous planning efforts. Thanks to the awarded federal RAISE funds the City is in the process of completing Areas 1-3 as part of one large investment project.

Area 1 – Improvements at Highway 55 and Station 73 Transit Facility

• Pedestrian/trial underpass at Highway 55 (grade separated crossing)
• Bus platforms and connecting trail
• Highway 55 transit pull-off area

View the Highway 55 Underpass, Transit, and Highway 55 Improvements (PDF)

• Construction of trail connection from Three Rivers Park District's Luce Line Regional Trail to Highway 55/Station 73
• Mobility and safety upgrades, including sidewalk connections to South Shore Drive

View the South Shore and 10th Avenue Improvements (PDF)

• Realignment of County Road 73 from Sunset Trail to Highway 55
• Construction of trail connection from Highway 55/Station 73 to Three Rivers Park District's Regional Trail at the Minnetonka/Plymouth border
• Roadway and intersection improvements to frontage roads, Old County Road 15 and Sunset Trail
• Expansion of Station 73 to create a multi-modal hub for transportation
  • Potential accommodations for ride sharing and hailing
• Water quality improvements to Medicine Lake and Bassett Creek

View the Realignment of County Road 73 and other County Road 73 Improvements (PDF)

• Reconstruction of roads south of Highway 55 near Station 73
• Upgrades to LaCompte Playfield

• Connection of the frontage road and sidewalks north of Highway 55 to Revere Lane

The small area study explores future land uses and potential redevelopment, transportation and utility improvements, as well as potential upgrades to parks and trails in the area around County Road 73 and Highway 55.

Plymouth is pursuing a comprehensive approach to make a variety of safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users in the area around Highway 55 and County Road 73.

To help create a coordinated approach to make regionally impactful improvements, the City of Plymouth developed the proposed Station 73 TRIP (Transit and Regional Improvement Program). To establish this robust plan, the city conducted a small area study to explore future land use and transportation upgrades, and considered Minnesota Department of Transportation studies and the Eagle Lake Regional Trail Master Plan, which examine pedestrian trail, mobility and pavement enhancements.

The Problem: Safety Hazards for All Users

The area of Highway 55 and County Road 73 poses a variety of safety hazards for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users. Currently, there is no direct or safe route for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Highway 55 to access city parks, regional trail systems, Station 73 transit facility and nearby businesses.

Additionally, the inadequate geometric configurations of surrounding streets create traffic delays and safety issues for motorists, Plymouth Metrolink buses, bicyclists and pedestrians.

In 2022, the City of Plymouth was awarded $15 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make transit, mobility and safety improvements in the area of Highway 55 and County Road 73 in Plymouth.

The federal grant program, Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, is aimed at helping communities complete projects that modernize transportation infrastructure, improve safety and make transportation systems more accessible, affordable and sustainable. 

Learn more about the grant.