The environmental review process for the future extension of County Road 21 is complete, allowing the project to move forward.

The Scott County Board on Tuesday determined that the final environmental impact statement for the road extension and associated transit station project adequately meets state law.

The county plans to extend the road from its current endpoint in Prior Lake up through the Southbridge neighborhood in Shakopee until intersecting County Road 18, where motorists can then travel onto Highway 169.

The environmental statement proposes mitigation sites for the projected loss of 7.09 acres of wetlands due to the project. The county also has committed to mitigate the loss of trees in accordance with city of Shakopee and Prior Lake ordinances. Wildlife crossings and a pedestrian/bike path and pedestrian crossing will be included in the design.

The Federal Highway Administration’s March record of decision outlines some of the county’s responses to comments received as part of the review:

The county agreed to the city of Prior Lake’s request for full access approximately one quarter mile north of the county road 21 and 42 intersection. It will seek to minimize right-of-way impacts and impacts to high-quality wooded areas during the final design. The county also plans to work with Prior Lake to maximize pedestrian access in the corridor.

The record of decision stated that some comments received from the Shakopee Crossings developer were outside the scope of the project review. The comments regarded the amount of planned transit stations, the construction of a bus-only ramp onto Highway 169 and the type of access between the Southbridge Parkway/County Road 18 intersection and Highway 169.

The first phase of the County Road 21 project is scheduled to begin next year.

The county recently approved a $728,246 design contract with WSB and Associates of Minneapolis for the northern section, from County Road 16 to County Road 18. Design work will include a reconfigured intersection at County Road 18 and a park-and-ride transit station.

– Shannon Fiecke