The Roundabout

Thursday, August 07, 2025

August 07, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Welcome! In this week’s newsletter: A construction project shut down an I-94 ramp providing access to Woodbury. A new national study ranked Woodbury among the safest suburbs in the country. We report on the District 47 Senate race and the contest for four open seats on the SoWashCo school board. Plus, a familiar building near I-94 will soon become ParT Barn, an indoor golf and dining venue. Please share this newsletter to help us continue to grow, and make a donation if you feel our work is worth supporting. Thanks for reading.

Co-Editor: Chuck Nowell
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Top Story

This I-94 ramp to Woodbury is closed into October.

I-94 Ramp To Radio Drive Closes For Two Months

by Manali Shah | Published on Aug 04, 2025

A major access point to Woodbury is closed through mid-October. The eastbound I-94 ramp to Radio Drive shut down Monday, Aug. 4.

Chris Hartzell, Woodbury’s engineering director, outlined the details to the Woodbury City Council at its meeting on July 30. Council members expressed dismay in part because the Minnesota Department of Transportation has not prepared the public for the ramp closure.

They also know the ramp project will compound an intense road construction season in the city due to some planned maintenance as well as work to lay miles of pipeline for the Water Treatment Plant.

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City & County

Woodbury Among Safest U.S. Suburbs

by Beth-Ann Bloom | A 2025 study by SmartAsset ranked Woodbury as one of the safest suburbs in the country.

Politics

Two DFLers, One Republican File For Senate Election

by Pat Mack | The three people who had announced their candidacies have officially filed for the Senate District 47 special election. The seat covers Woodbury and part of Maplewood.

Schools

Candidates Can File For Four SoWashCo School Board Seats

by Kathy Saltzman | Voters in the South Washington County School District (ISD #833) will elect four school board members in the general election on Nov. 4. The winners will serve four-year terms from January 2026 to December 2029.

Out & About

Machine Shed Turning Into High-Tech Indoor Golf And Dining

by Theo Franz | ParT Barn, a new restaurant and golf simulator venue, is expected to open this fall at the corner of I-94 and Hudson Boulevard in Lake Elmo. It will take over the building that was once the Machine Shed Restaurant.