Identifying key challenges and mitigation strategies

Hennepin County continues to track and evaluate this important corridor for safety and operational challenges. This includes researching, reviewing and exploring potential mitigation strategies to alleviate the issues by working with our city partners and other stakeholders.

Improving safety for all users

Hennepin County continues to make improvements along the corridor, while also pursuing a future reconstruction project as part of our Capital Improvement Plan. Previously, the county implemented temporary changes at 25th and 27th streets intersections. In 2021, the county will be updating the work at these intersections. In 2022, we will be resurfacing the driving surface and piloting striping changes (additional details below).

Ensuring access for businesses and residents along the corridor

Lyndale Avenue is a lively and popular corridor that is home to several businesses. In addition, it is a key connector for residents who live in the area. Work on this corridor will include engaging with businesses and residents to ensure they are heard as they discuss their overall needs and desires.

Piloting striping changes in 2022

Hennepin County public works staff have been considering and evaluating a 4- to 3-lane conversion pilot project. A pilot project will allow an opportunity to observe the impacts of this change to this segment of roadway and neighborhood, which is an important next step to help inform a future vision for the corridor.

Prior to making these changes, county staff is working with the City of Minneapolis on important elements to successfully implement this project. Currently, we are working on the details of striping changes from four lanes (two lanes in each direction) to three lanes (one lane in each direction with a center turn lane). This fall, we need to work through design details and continue communications and engagement with nearby residents, businesses and other stakeholders. We anticipate restriping the roadway in conjunction with a needed pavement resurfacing project in summer 2022. Doing so will extend the life of the pavement and maximize the visibility of the new pavement markings.

As part of the pilot, the county will be tracking and evaluating crashes, speed and impacts to transit, delivery, parking and overall traffic. We will also be seeking feedback from the community about how they feel the restriping has changed the corridor. This will help inform the future vision of this corridor.

Engaging with the community

We will continue our efforts to engage with the community, including to gather feedback and personal experiences, and share back what we have heard and learned.

The work for 2021 will do the following at 25^th and 27^th street intersections:

• Improve crossing experience for people walking and rolling
• Increase visibility of people walking and rolling in the area
• Reduce number of conflict points for people using Lyndale Avenue for biking, walking, rolling and driving

To meet these goals, the county will be:

• Replacing the temporary delineators that were installed at 25^th and 27^th street intersections last year with a raised center median
• Adding marked crosswalks at 25^th and 27^th streets
• Adding flashing pedestrian crossing beacons
• Improving lighting at the 25^th and 27^th street intersections
• Upgrading pedestrian curb ramps at the 25^th and 27^th intersections

Community listening session

In 2019, Hennepin County hosted a community listening session to gather input about the safety needs and desires for Lyndale Avenue. Information from this meeting was collected and has been used by the county as it has moved forward to address community concerns.

Ongoing commitment

Hennepin County continues to communicate and engage with the community. Since the community listening session in 2019, the county has also been gathering data and reviewing engineering for Lyndale Avenue. With new efforts underway to make improvements, the county will provide additional opportunities to engage regarding Lyndale Avenue.

One way to stay informed is to sign up for updates at the top of this page. In addition, look for outreach by project team members as work continues and the pilot project is implemented.

Provide your feedback

Share your comments and questions using the Lyndale Avenue input form.

Project feedback and general comments

To provide feedback regarding the safety improvements between Franklin Avenue and Lake Street, your most efficient resource will be to use the project comment form.

Submit your comments using the Lyndale Avenue input form.

Project specific inquiries

You may also use the contact information for more specific needs

2021 improvements

For the median improvements at 25th and 27th streets, contact:

• Jason Staebell, P.E.
  Project manager (design)
  jason.staebell@hennepin.us
  612-596-0371

Future improvements

For the 2022 pilot project and future improvements, contact:

• Josh Potter, P.E.
  Project manager (design)
  josh.potter@hennepin.us
  612-596-0820

Media

For media requests, contact:

• Colin Cox
  Transportation media contact
  colin.cox@hennepin.us
  612-596-7426