Dakota County to Begin Road and Intersection Improvements Along Pilot Knob Road and County Road 42 in Apple Valley
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA – Dakota County and the City of Apple Valley are preparing to begin a pair of roadway improvement projects this spring and summer to improve safety, traffic flow, and pedestrian accessibility along two busy south metro corridors.
According to Dakota County Transportation, construction is scheduled to begin May 18, 2026, at the intersection of Pilot Knob Road (County Road 31) and Upper 147th Street West. Additional work along 150th Street West (County Road 42) is tentatively scheduled to begin July 21, 2026. The projects, identified as County Projects 42-177 and 31-118, will focus on improvements at several intersections in the area.
The first project targets ongoing safety concerns at Pilot Knob Road and Upper 147th Street West. As part of the project, crews will install a three-quarter-turn center median along Pilot Knob Road. The change will restrict traffic on Upper 147th Street to right-in and right-out movements only, eliminating left turns onto Pilot Knob Road from the side street.
Dakota County says the project will also add new turn lanes designed to improve visibility and sight distances for opposing left-turning traffic.
A second project will replace two aging traffic signal systems along 150th Street West (County Road 42), including intersections at Garrett Avenue and Pilot Knob Road.
At Garrett Avenue, planned upgrades include:
New designated left- and right-turn lanes
ADA-accessible curb ramps
Audible pedestrian push buttons
Pedestrian countdown timers
At the intersection of County Road 42 and Pilot Knob Road, planned improvements include:
A pedestrian refuge island
New curb ramps
Audible pedestrian push buttons
Pedestrian countdown timers
County officials say construction is expected to continue from mid-May through September 2026.
Drivers should expect periodic traffic impacts, lane restrictions, and possible delays in the area during construction activities.
More information about the projects can be found on the Dakota County official website.
Written by: Will Wight
