Northwest Metro
This page covers MN 242 from the US 10 interchange in
Coon Rapids to MN 65 in Blaine. Total length of this section is approximately
5.2 miles.
Description
MN 242 has existed for over 50 years,
starting out as a minor 2-lane road, and more recently designated as a Principal
Arterial, a major traffic route to serve the heavy development in Anoka
County. It mostly serves as a connector between US 10 and MN 65 through
northern areas of Coon Rapids and Blaine, although there are proposals to extend
it east to I-35W.
Roadway Configuration
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Map will be part of a future update
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Traffic
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Map will be part of a future update
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- Light throughout (heavy for a 2-lane road)
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Average Daily Traffic Counts
| Location |
1992 |
1994 |
1996 |
1998 |
2000 |
| E of US 10 |
20,000 |
21,500 |
26,000 |
25,500 |
30,500 |
| E of Crosstown Blvd/CSAH 18 |
17,000 |
17,000 |
18,500 |
20,500 |
20,000 |
| E of Hanson Blvd/CSAH 78 |
16,000 |
14,000 |
16,100 |
18,100 |
15,000 |
| E of University Ave/CSAH 51 |
18,500 |
18,000 |
19,500 |
20,800 |
56,000 |
| E of Jefferson St NE |
18,500 |
18,000 |
18,500 |
20,800 |
56,000 |
| E of Polk St/Oak Park Blvd |
18,500 |
19,600 |
18,500 |
20,800 |
56,000 |
Speed Limit
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Map will be part of a future update
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- 55 MPH from US 10 to University Ave NE
- 50 MPH east of University Ave NE
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History
- Added to the state highway system between US 10/MN 47 in downtown Anoka
(Main St/5th Ave intersection) and MN 65 in 1949 along the route of Anoka
CSAH 14.
- Extended west along Main St in Anoka to US 52/169/Ferry St in 1966.
- Stoplight added at MN 65 in 1970.
- Turn lanes added between Round Lake Rd and Polk St in 1976.
- Stoplights added at US 10/MN 47 ramps and University Ave NE/CSAH 51, and
minor 4-laning at University Ave NE, in 1978.
- Turned back between US 52/169 and the US 10/MN 47 freeway in 1979.
- Stoplight added at Hanson Blvd NE/CSAH 78 in 1981.
- US 10/MN 47 interchange reconstructed, and widened to 4 lanes between US
10/MN 47 and Coon Creek Blvd/CSAH 18 in 2001.
Current Construction
- Residual construction between US 10/MN 47 and Coon Creek Blvd.
Future Plans
- Long-range plans call for an extension east along Anoka CSAH 14 to
I-35W. There are also proposals for interchanges at MN 65 and
I-35W. Also, although MnDOT would like to 4-lane MN 242, the road
lacks both the funding and the priority for 4-lane widening, and so has been
identified for access management instead. In the meantime, Anoka
County has been using county funds, with some assistance from MnDOT, to
widen MN 242 as opportunities arise, and this situation is likely to
continue. In fact, the STIP identified funds in 2003 to continue the
widening east from Coon Creek Blvd to Thrush St.
Froggie Suggests:
- Complete 4-lane widening between US 10/MN 47 and MN 65 and incorporate
access management and a 55 MPH speed limit.
- Construct an interchange at MN 65.
- Extend MN 242 east to I-35W, and construct an interchange at I-35W.
- Implement access management between MN 65 and I-35W, with an eye for
4-lane widening by 2020.
- Make accommodations for an eventual interchange at Lexington Ave/CSAH 17.
Links
Last updated 9/29/04