From South of 46th Street S. to Lake Street
County Road 48; Hennepin County Project 9742
Introduction
The project consists of reconstructing Minnehaha Avenue, County Road 48, from just south of 46th Street (County Road 46) to just south of Lake Street (County Road 3). At 46th Street, construction is anticipated to extend for a few hundred feet either direction from Minnehaha to properly align the intersection approaches.
Existing Conditions
- The existing roadway has a width of 54 feet. The 54-foot width includes two 9-foot parking lanes, two 6-foot lanes for bicycles, and two 12-foot lanes for motor vehicles.
- The pavement is to be replaced because of its poor condition and drainage problems that occur along its length. The last major reconstruction of the roadway occurred in 1957 and the most recent overlay occurred in 1997. This has led to extensive pavement maintenance needs and causes drainage problems along the corridor whereby water pools at pedestrian ramps and curbs.
- The corridor has a number of skewed intersections which pose challenges to today’s users.
- Aged utilities line the corridor.
Potential Improvements
The County seeks to design Minnehaha Avenue as a “Complete Street” to accommodate all modes and users of transportation. Although the proposed roadway configuration has not been determined at this time, the roadway will likely retain two bicycle lanes, two traffic lanes, and add or modify turn lanes at critical intersections. Improvements to facilitate turn movements and safety are likely to occur at 32nd, 38th, and 46th Streets. These intersections have higher than average accident rates. Skewed intersections will be analyzed for possible geometric changes to improve safety and access. Other corridor upgrades that are likely include water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, lighting, signals and handicapped access.
Project Timeline
The preliminary design phase is expected to begin in 2010. The preliminary design phase will include public involvement and public meetings to begin shaping the future of the roadway. The preliminary design phase typically lasts one to two years and culminates in a preliminary layout approved by the City Council. Detail design will follow the preliminary phase and use the approved preliminary layout as the overarching design concept. The construction timeline has not been determined but the current 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program includes sufficient funding to begin construction of this project in or after 2013.
Project Contacts
Hennepin County Transportation Contact
Nick Peterson, P.E., Project Manager and Engineer
Hennepin County Public Works
1600 Prairie Drive
Medina, MN 55340-5421
(612) 596-0382
City of Minneapolis Transportation Contact
Jeff Handeland, P.E., City Engineering Representative
City of Minneapolis
309 2nd Avenue South, Rm 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2268
(612) 673-2363
