Maple Grove residents should brace for a week of detours as BNSF Railroad embarks on replacing two railroad crossings that'll temporarily close portions of 83rd Avenue and Jefferson Highway, near the Brooklyn Park border. This infrastructure update, as posted by the City of Maple Grove's official Facebook page, is set to start on Monday, July 14, with a wrap date pegged for Friday, July 18. Drivers, get ready to reroute.
The city has released a detailed road closure map for alternate routes, suggesting travelers use 85th Avenue, Hemlock/Zachary Lane, and Elm Creek Boulevard during the construction period. Pulling off a project of this scale means both Jefferson Highway and 83rd Avenue must be out of commission for the duration. Not exactly the summer cruising experience one might hope for, but hey, infrastructure waits for no one.
For those less-than-thrilled about the commute shakeup, the Maple Grove Engineering Department has put itself in the hot seat, opening up a line at 763-494-6350 for questions or venting sessions—whatever you need to make this week bearable. As the social media post from the city reminds us, "Thank you for your patience."
So, residents and commuters, mark your calendars and prep your GPS apps. Roadwork like this can really derail a routine—pun intended. While it's bound to be a minor nuisance, having safer, updated crossings will no doubt prove beneficial in the long run. Just remember to carefully plan to avoid getting stuck in a jam. Maintenance, especially on something as crucial as railroad crossings, has to only happen sooner or later, right?
