US 53 Urban Complete Streets Reconstruction

This was a major reconstruction project along a three-mile corridor between TH 57 and TH 7 through the City of International Falls. Improving the accessibility of this corridor through ADA improvements was critical, as this area is a gateway passage into neighboring Canada.

Isthmus led the ADA pedestrian ramp design, roadway signing and striping, roadway corridor modeling, and quality management. With this project located in a town center, the development of a new roadway profile presented challenges due to the confined space and numerous access points. An iterative outside-in design process was used to minimize impacts to adjacent properties and businesses, and to optimize the available space. ADA-compliant design was a priority throughout the corridor, including the development of a shared-use path and modifications required for Accessible Pedestrian Signals at three intersections. 

As part of a separate Isthmus in-house initiative, Civil Cells which incorporate MnDOT ADA standards were developed to support the ADA design process within a 3D environment, an enhanced workflow implemented for the first time as part of this project. This allowed for efficient, iterative design by eliminating the need to rework complex ADA design calculations with each profile change. Isthmus has since shared this workflow with MnDOT employees and provided them training in the use of the Isthmus-developed Civil Cells.