The City’s 2022 construction season is underway with improvement projects planned throughout Minneapolis. The projects will improve the transportation network and underground utilities, making travel safer and more efficient for all travel modes, according to a city report.
Over the last two years, the City has completed more than $200 million in infrastructure improvements throughout Minneapolis, including Eighth Street between Hennepin and Chicago avenues, Johnson Street Northeast, Plymouth Avenue North, the 10th Avenue Bridge and Watermain project, 34th Ave South and the 28th Avenue Bridge.
2022 construction projects highlights:
- Hennepin Downtown: Hennepin Avenue between Washington Avenue South and 12th Street is being reconstructed to make the street more functional for all travel modes. Construction on the final two blocks, Fifth Street to Seventh Street, has begun and it is anticipated that Hennepin will reopen to traffic in September 2022. Bus routes will remain on Nicollet Mall until the fall. Hennepin Avenue is closed between Fifth and Seventh streets with local access maintained to businesses and parking.
- Fourth Street Reconstruction Project: Construction on the final segment of Fourth Street between Second Avenue North and Hennepin Avenue is underway and is expected to be open to traffic by mid-summer. During reconstruction, the roadway will be closed to all vehicle traffic between First Avenue North and Hennepin Avenue. Alleyways will not be accessible from Fourth Street on this block. The roadway between Second Avenue North and First Avenue North will be reconstructed one half at a time, starting with the north half, and will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained.
- Downtown East Reconstruction Project: This roadway reconstruction is in the Downtown East area was started in 2021 and is anticipated to be completed in July 2022. This project also includes the installation of an off-street bike path on 10th Avenue South which connects to the Hiawatha LRT trail, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, signal upgrades, lighting, storm sewer improvements and green infrastructure to capture and treat surface water runoff.
- Bryant Avenue South Reconstruction Project: The project will last two years and is expected to have all roadway, sidewalks, and bikeway complete in October of 2023. The project is located along Bryant Avenue South between Lake Street and 50th Street and includes transit upgrades on Lyndale Avenue South between 33rd and 50th St. This 2.5-mile roadway reconstruction project is expected to begin on Lyndale Avenue South in late May or early June.
- Grand Avenue South Reconstruction Project: This 2.25-mile roadway reconstruction project began in 2021 and is anticipated to be open to traffic in November 2022. The project is located along Grand Avenue South between 27th and 48th streets. The 2022 construction limits are between 27th and 38th streets and work is underway.
- Franklin West Reconstruction Project: This 0.16-mile roadway reconstruction project will begin in May and is anticipated to be completed in November 2022. The project is located along Franklin Avenue between Hennepin Avenue and Lyndale Avenue South. In preparation for the upcoming work, CenterPoint Energy has been on site since March 21 doing utility work. In addition to a complete roadway reconstruction, the Franklin Avenue improvements include the installation of ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, lighting, off-street bike paths, transit improvements, storm sewer upgrades and green infrastructure to capture and treat surface water runoff.
- Vision Zero projects: Quick-build traffic safety improvements will be installed on more than 160 intersections on High Injury Streets in 2022.
- Bridge 9 Project: Bridge 9 currently provides a Mississippi River crossing for the Minneapolis bicycle trail system adjacent to the University of Minnesota East and West Bank campuses. The Bridge 9 project is a multi-year program that will include a range of repairs. The bridge remains open during this construction project.
- All Ages and Abilities Bikeways: Whittier-Lyndale, Queen Avenue North Bicycle Boulevard: These projects will enhance bike connections between neighborhoods in south Minneapolis and downtown and create a new four-mile bicycle boulevard in north Minneapolis.
- Safe Routes to School: 16th Avenue North (North High School, Franklin Middle School and Hall STEM Academy.) Whittier International Elementary School: These projects will increase safety for walking and biking.
Also part of the 2022 construction season but less visible infrastructure are the Central City tunnel downtown, water main cleaning and lining and sewer pipe lining projects throughout the city.
There are several resources available for people to track projects, closures and detours including project pages, weekly project email updates, and construction and street closure map.
Stay informed of other major projects impacting Minneapolis, such as: Glenwood Avenue, Webber 44, Metro Transit D Line, Hiawatha Avenue, Southwest Light Rail Transit and the Third Ave Bridge.
