FACT SHEET SUPPLEMENT 2014
Public Works
Transportation Department
Administrative Division
Jim Grube, Director of Transportation and County Engineer
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340-5421
E-mail: James.Grube@hennepin.us
Phone: (612)596-0307
The Transportation Department administers all functions associated with the county highway system.
The department's mission is to support, sustain, and enhance the economic vitality and quality of life
within Hennepin County by developing, and maintaining a safe, efficient, balanced, and environmentally
sound county transportation system. The areas of responsibility are divided into five Divisions:
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Administration Division
Construction Division
Design Division
Operations Division
Transportation Planning Division
The mission of the Administration Division is to assure the effective delivery of transportation and related
services in accordance with County Board policy and governing Statutes. The Administration Division is
responsible for:
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Promoting an understanding of the Public Works business line’s Overarching Goals throughout the
department.
Providing leadership and vision for the department’s activities.
Coordinating the development of the department’s Strategic Plan.
Communicating the department’s Strategic Plan
Coordinating and facilitating the development of the department’s operating budget to support/attain
the Public Works business line and the department’s desired results – provide information on
success in achieving desired results.
Communicating and coordinating the department’s diverse activities to achieve the strategic and
result-based budget goals.
Coordinating the analysis of federal and state legislation, as it relates to transportation, and
recommend courses of action to Public Works Administration.
FACT SHEET SUPPLEMENT 2014
Transportation Department
Construction Division
Harlan Hanson, Division Manager
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340-5421
E-mail: Harlan.Hanson@hennepin.us
Phone: (612)596-0340
General Information: (612)596-0341
The mission of the Construction Division is to provide contract administration for the county’s Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) in a manner that insures the proper execution of contracts and assures
quality workmanship and materials. Specific activities of the Construction Division are:
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Administer contracts in accordance with funding source policies, providing adequate documentation
for pay quantities and authorizing appropriate payment(s) to contractors.
Conduct on-site inspection and testing of contractor work to insure quality of materials and
workmanship in accordance with plan documents and project specific standards.
Oversee contractor’s activities to assist in safeguarding the public in work zones.
Provide construction survey services, which develop and achieve elevation and alignment control for
facilities under construction.
Provide surveys that establish construction limits used in the purchase of right of way or construction
easements needed for CIP projects.
Conduct location and topographical surveys used in the preparation of roadway and bridge
improvement projects for the CIP and operational Safety Improvement projects.
Perform laboratory quality assurance testing on road and bridge building materials such as
bituminous and aggregates.
Perform plan and document preparation for concrete pavement repair activities.
Perform public relations with affected property owners and provide project information via news
releases and the county web site.
FACT SHEET SUPPLEMENT 2014
Transportation Department
Design Division
Craig Twinem, Division Manager
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340-5421
E-mail: Craig.Twinem@hennepin.us
Phone: (612)596-0360
General Information: (612)596-0361
The mission of the Design Division is to prepare plans, specifications, cost estimates, agreements,
environmental reports, and other documents for road and bridge projects for the transportation Capital
Improvement Program (CIP); inspect and inventory existing bridges and structures; and coordinate
municipal project development where county facilities and interests may be affected. The Design Division
is divided into three functional units responsible for activities/results in the following areas:
Preliminary and Detail Roadway Design Unit
 Overall project management.
 Conceptual drawings.
 Preliminary geometric layouts.
 Preliminary and detailed cost estimates.
 Public involvement and municipal consent processes.
 Coordination with municipal partners and other agencies.
 Detailed construction plans.
 Environmental documentation.
 Consultant management.
 Plan and design review for projects developed by other agencies.
 Preparation of signal, lighting, interconnect, traffic control, signing and striping plans.
Specifications and Agreements Unit
 Construction specifications and special provisions.
 Contract documents.
 Cooperative agreements.
 County Board Action Requests.
Bridge Design and Inspection Unit
 Bridge design and construction plans.
 Miscellaneous structure and retaining wall design.
 Construction specifications and cost estimates for bridges and structures.
 Bridge safety inspections (performed on county bridges and on other structures/roadways for
municipalities that do not have a city engineer).
 Bridge load ratings.
 Structural engineering services for other divisions and departments within the county.
FACT SHEET SUPPLEMENT 2014
Transportation Department
Operations Division
Greg Chock, Division Manager
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340-5421
E-mail: Greg.Chock@hennepin.us
Phone: (612)596-0758
General Information: (612)596-0331
General Roadway Maintenance Information: (612)596-0299
Traffic Operations Engineer: (612)596-0309
Traffic Signal Information (7:00 am-3:30 pm): (612)596-0293
Traffic Sign Information: (612)596-0310
Adopt-A-Highway Program: (612)596-0339
Permit Information: (612)596-0339
The mission of the Operations Division is to operate and maintain the county roads, bridges and traffic
control devices in a manner that insures safe and convenient use of the transportation system by the
traveling public. Pavement repair and preventative maintenance strategies are implemented to optimize
the service life of the roadway system, providing a high quality, hazard free driving experience.
Installation and maintenance of traffic control devices provide guidance and control of traffic. Prompt
snow and ice control measures assure safe travel during the winter season and allow uninterrupted
transportation of goods and services - supporting economic vitality. Related work is performed for other
county departments and divisions. The Operations Division is divided into two functional units responsible
for activities/results in the following areas:
Road and Bridge Operations:
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Surface patching – minor pavement defects, such as potholes addressed by applying a bituminous
patch.
Drainage maintenance - structures are cleaned and repaired. Ditches are cleaned and re-graded to
restore positive flow of storm water from roadway surfaces and pavement structures.
Bituminous overlay program - placement of bituminous surfacing to maintain and/or improve the
quality of ride for customers/users.
Roadway crack sealing – prevents water infiltration and degradation of the ride quality.
Spot safety improvements – roadway/traffic control modifications to improve physical conditions and
traffic flow.
Roadside maintenance - diseased tree removal, tree and brush trimming/removal to improve visibility,
and noxious weed control.
Perform bridge maintenance on 147 bridges.
Snow/ice control – snow plowing and salting/sanding to assure safe passage of motorists and timely
delivery of goods and services.
Publish Snow and Ice Control Manual, which contains information on winter policies and procedures,
and level of service.
FACT SHEET SUPPLEMENT 2014
Traffic Operations:
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Traffic Engineering and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Programs.
Installation and maintenance of traffic signs and pavement markings to provide guidance and control
of traffic.
Installation and maintenance of traffic signals including coordination of signalized intersections for
efficient control and movement of traffic.
Adopt a Highway Program - litter pickup by volunteers at least once a year to improve the aesthetics
of the county highway corridors.
Annually in April, the Division hosts an informal public meeting to gather input on the adequacy and
effectiveness of the county's storm water pollution prevention program (SWPPP). The SWPPP is
essentially a storm water management program that is comprised of the best management practices
in support of defined control measures.
Traffic signals – 455 signals are maintained by county staff; 332 signals maintained by City of
Minneapolis under agreement. Provide support to 15 cities (183 signals) under agreement.
Traffic signs are manufactured, installed and maintained. 40,000 signs maintained by county 11,000 signs maintained by Minneapolis under agreement.
Pavement markings are painted to assure guidance and control of traffic – approximately 9,200,000
linear feet of striping is painted annually and 7,500 pavement messages are maintained.
Permits - utility and transportation permit system intended to protect the highway infrastructure and
promote public safety.
Administer the Gopher State One Call locate system for county facilities and field locate Hennepin
County Infrastructure.
FACT SHEET SUPPLEMENT 2014
Transportation Department
Transportation Planning Division
Tom Johnson, Division Manager
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340-5421
E-mail: Tom.Johnson@hennepin.us
Phone: (612)596-0350
General Information: (612)596-0351
Project Planning: (612)596-0352
Plat Review: (612)596-0355
Traffic Counts: (612)596-0356
Highway Map Distribution: (612)596-0352
Transportation Plan or Bike Plan: (612)596-0354
The mission of the Transportation Planning Division is to plan and coordinate the development of the
county highway system to efficiently provide safe, convenient, and economical movement of people and
goods on the county roadway system. This division is responsible for county highway system planning,
system information and data, project programming, development of the Capital Improvement Program
(CIP), review and analysis of proposed legislation and intergovernmental coordination and analysis.
Specific activities of the Transportation Planning Division are:
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Plat reviews - Review and comment by the county is required on all proposed plats adjacent to
county roads prior to approval by the municipality.
Revocation/designation of county highways – identifies and coordinates needed jurisdictional
transfers due to roadway designation/purpose.
Minnesota Department of Transportation and Municipal coordination - work with agencies to facilitate
regional transportation needs.
Maintain an accurate inventory of the county roadway system.
Perform traffic volume counts on half of roadway system per year and produce a traffic flow map.
Accident report evaluation and information - evaluation of safety improvements.
Traffic and accident analysis including various traffic studies.
Federal project applications – prepare and submit project application including funding proposal.
Administration of the County State Aid program.
Legislative reviews – relating to the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) system and other
transportation related issues.
Administration of the County Aid to Municipalities program.
Production of the Hennepin County highway and bike map every two years.
Responsible for the development/implementation of the Hennepin County Bicycle Transportation
Plan, and the Hennepin County Transportation Systems Plan (HC-TSP).
Perform site distance surveys.
Perform corridor studies such as Special Project Analysis Reports (SPAR).
Perform Roadway Operational Analysis (delays, queues, level of service).
Provide support to County Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC).
Work with the Administration Division to produce the Transportation CIP.
Support Regional Planning efforts including staffing various Metropolitan Council Committees.