The landscape of Viking Boulevard, Anoka County's key arterial thoroughfare, has undergone significant transformations this summer. With a decade-long effort to shift from asphalt to concrete, the roadway is nearing the culmination of its extensive revamp. The latest update includes 1.65 miles between TH 47 and the Rum River Bridge that have been stripped down and reconstructed from scratch, featuring storm sewer installations and a fresh concrete pavement, according to Anoka County.
Anoka County officials are intent on not only rebuilding but also to modernize. According to a recent county update, the intersection of Viking Boulevard and Rum River Boulevard is being reshaped from a traditional 4-way stop into a roundabout—expected to streamline traffic and enhance safety. This construction also includes a boon for pedestrians and cyclists, with new trails that will "extends east from the Rum River Bridge and west to Kiowa Street."
Beyond these developments is the Rum River Bridge, an infrastructure relic of the 1970s set for a total makeover. The plans reveal a design for a three-span concrete pretensioned beam bridge buttressed by steel H pile—a sturdy upgrade anticipated to carry the community securely into future decades.
