MINNEAPOLIS — Today, the City of Minneapolis announced five locations where it will implement its first-ever traffic safety cameras to begin automated enforcement of speed limits this fall.
This pilot program for traffic cameras is being called an essential part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on Minneapolis streets. The initiative also promotes a future where “everyone can move safely, efficiently, and equitably throughout our streets and neighborhoods.”
However, some people worry that automated enforcement leads to more government surveillance, especially if facial recognition technology is used. Groups like Our Streets Minneapolis claim that speed cameras unfairly target low-income communities and people of color, as high-crash areas are often in marginalized neighborhoods.
Critics argue that cameras only tackle the symptoms of the issue instead of the underlying causes. They suggest redesigning streets to lower traffic speeds naturally by adding features like medians, roundabouts, or protected bike lanes, instead of relying on fines. There are also concerns that the city’s dependence on ticket revenue might increase citations rather than improve street safety.
This morning, Mayor Jacob Frey officially signed the $12 million four-year contract with NovoaGlobal, a national traffic enforcement provider, following the City Council’s approval. This marked the final two steps needed to advance the pilot program for its launch in the fall.
“Minneapolis is taking commonsense steps to protect lives on our streets,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “With these traffic safety cameras, we’re making clear that speeding and reckless driving won’t be tolerated—especially near our schools and areas with lots of foot traffic. This pilot program is about saving lives, not writing tickets, and I’m proud to have signed the contract this morning to get this work moving.”
City officials state that the contract with NovoaGlobal specifies that the fee cannot exceed $12 million over four years. The city anticipates that ticket revenue will cover the costs, which would necessitate issuing approximately 75,000 citations annually.
Speeding is a major problem in Minneapolis, contributing to 80% of traffic fatalities. Enforcement has traditionally depended on manual police stops since the 2007 shutdown of some red-light cameras. Officials report that in certain areas, up to 10% of drivers speed by more than 10 mph, although detailed annual data is not readily available.
Where the Minneapolis pilot program cameras are being placed
The cameras will be located in Downtown, Near North, Northeast, Ventura Village, and King Field/Tangletown. Click on the map below for precise imagery.
Intersections for the pilot program cameras:
- 3rd St. N near 1st Ave N. in Downtown
- Fremont Ave N near W. Broadway Ave in Near North
- 18th Ave NE near Central Ave NE in Northeast
- Chicago Ave near Franklin Ave E in Ventura Village
- Nicollet Ave near 46th St. W in King Field/ Tangletown
