Work on Lowry Avenue began March 24. Hennepin County will reconstruct the roadway from Ulysses Street to Central Avenue. The work, and detours, are expected to last until October. (Davis Steen)
Spring has arrived, and with it, the inevitable road construction season. Let the jackhammering begin!
Lowry Avenue
Lowry Avenue closed to traffic March 24 and digging began immediately. The roadway will be closed from Ulysses Street to Central Avenue until October as Hennepin County repaves the road with one lane of traffic in each direction, places traffic calming extensions at each intersection and improves curbs and ramps for better accessibility.
It was originally scheduled to be closed from Central to Johnson.
“The road closure extends a block further to the east, to Ulysses Street, for utility work,” Colin Cox, Hennepin County Communications, said in an email. “We need to remove and replace the underground storm water drainage infrastructure beneath the intersection to ensure that when it rains or the snow melts, the water can be managed.”
New amenities along Lowry will include streetlights and storm sewer facilities, a shared-use path along the north side of Lowry for pedestrians and bicyclists, a new sidewalk along the south side of Lowry Avenue, wider boulevards that provide more space between traffic and people, new signals at Johnson Street and a new crossing at Fillmore Street, including pedestrian-activated flashing beacons and a center median.
Metro Transit bus route 32 detours at Central Avenue to 26th Avenue until it reaches Arthur Street, where it will turn back to Lowry. Check Metro Transit Rider Alerts for Route 4 — Johnson Street closed to traffic April 7.
Broadway
On Thursday, March 27, the Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole authorized a funding agreement with Hennepin County to upgrade traffic signals along Broadway at Washington, Monroe, Fillmore and Buchanan Streets. The project, completed last year, included Accessible Pedestrian Signals, ADA-compliant curb ramps and curb extensions. The city and the county will each pay $285,000 for the project; federal funding provides 90% of the costs.
Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights is on an alley refurbishing spree this year, refitting them with new concrete along several blocks. Here’s the list:
Heights Drive to Stinson Blvd, 45th Avenue to Heights Drive
5th Street to 6th Street, 47th Avenue to 48th Avenue
Tyler Street to Polk Street, 41st Avenue to 42nd Avenue
Jackson Street to Van Buren Street, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue
University Ave Service Road to 4th Street, 49th Avenue to 50th Avenue
Reservoir Blvd to Tyler Street, 37th Ave to 39th Avenue
St. Anthony
St. Anthony will be working on a $1.7 million mill-and-overlay refurbishment of several streets this summer, including:
39th Avenue NE: Stinson Blvd. to Silver Lake Rd.
30th Avenue NE: Stinson Blvd. to Silver Lake Rd.
Armour Terrace: Roosevelt Street to Silver Lake Rd.
Murray Avenue: Roosevelt Street to Coolidge Street
39th Avenue NE: Silver Lake Rd. to
Highway 88
Roosevelt Street: St. Anthony Blvd. to 30th Avenue NE
Wilson Street: St. Anthony Blvd. to 30th Avenue NE
Coolidge Street: St. Anthony Blvd. to 29th Avenue NE
Logan Park Industrial area
On Thursday, March 28, the Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole gave approval to the redesign of six streets in the Logan Park Industrial area. While reconstruction won’t occur this year, the look and functionality of 12th, 13th and 14th Avenues and Jackson, Tyler and Van Buren Streets will change dramatically in upcoming years. The streets themselves will be repaved, storm sewer drainage will be improved and sidewalks and boulevards will be improved or added. A redesign of Quincy Street is still in the offing.
Chunks of Lowry Avenue near the intersection with Johnson Street. (Davis Steen)