Spring will soon be here, and road construction won’t be far behind. Two projects are slated for Northeast; both are bound to cause traffic disruptions.
Johnson Street from 18th to Lowry
The controversial reconstruction of the half-mile stretch of Johnson Street from 18th Avenue to Lowry Avenue is set to begin in mid-to-late April, according to City of Minneapolis Engineer Ahmed Omer.
Johnson is a major traffic artery: An average of 12,000-18,000 motor vehicles travel between Lowry and 18th every day. Use by pedestrians is dramatically lower – a daily average of only 80 walkers traverse the route – and bicycle use is even lower, about 20 per day. Between 2012 and 2015, there were 108 motor vehicle crashes and four pedestrian accidents along the street.
The city council-approved design reduces the number of parking spots along Johnson Street to 12 near Que Viet Restaurant at 2211 Johnson, and five regular parking spots and one disability parking spot on the same side of the street, approximately one-half block south.
The west side of Johnson will feature a shared bicycle/walking path. Green boulevard strips will be added to both sides of the street. Vehicle lanes will be narrowed from 14 feet to 10.5 feet wide. A bus bay will be built into the intersection at 19th; otherwise, all Metro Transit bus stops remain the same.
In addition, new signage and pavement markings will be added as needed; new sidewalks and ADA pedestrian ramps built at the corners; new pavement, curb and gutters will be installed and utility improvements will be made.
Traffic that normally exits 35W at Johnson Street will have to filter through the neighborhood at 18th or take the Stinson Blvd./New Brighton Blvd. exit.
Omer said the project is expected to be finished in November.
2nd Street and 3rd Avenue NE intersection
Once the ground thaws, reconstruction of the intersection of 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue NE will begin. The intersection, which is used by 330 pedestrians, 200 bicyclists, 41 buses and 3,872 cars a day, has been redesigned to make it safer for walkers and bikes. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported six motor vehicle crashes at the intersection between 2017 and 2019.
Bollards were installed in 2017 to create temporary medians to protect bicyclists. The work this spring will take safety provisions a step further by reducing vehicular travel speeds, adding ADA-compliant curb ramps and creating permanent medians with greenery to the area. Completion is expected by fall.
Below: Johnson Street reconstruction plan from 18th to Lowry. Full treatment of the intersections at each end depends on separate projects involving the intersecting roads. Plans for the 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue NE intersection. (Courtesy of City of Minneapolis)
