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Washington Avenue reconstruction

County Road 152 in downtown Minneapolis

Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is reconstructing Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) between Hennepin Avenue and 5th Avenue South.

Utility relocation work began early in 2016. County crews began reconstruction work in August 2016. The project was completed in fall 2017.

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Traffic signal survey

Washington Avenue traffic signal survey

The Washington Avenue reconstruction in Minneapolis, completed between Hennepin Avenue and 5th Avenue South, included the replacement of pavement, traffic signals, sidewalk, and a new off-street cycle track for people biking. Additionally, as part of the project, Hennepin County introduced unique bicycle-specific signals at intersections throughout the corridor. The signals are intended to provide safe and efficient bicycle operations, as well as minimize confusion among people walking, biking and driving.

Hennepin County now invites you to participate in a survey on your riding experience with the new bicycle signals. The questions in the survey have been developed to determine the effectiveness of the signals by collecting feedback from people who bike along Washington Avenue.

Use this link to take the survey on a laptop or desktop.

Use this link to take the survey on a phone or mobile device and enter the code 40 85 96.

Construction updates

Reconstruction complete

Hennepin County in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, has reconstructed Washington Avenue South (County Road 152) between Hennepin Avenue and 5th Avenue South. 

View of completed Washington Avenue with all permanent signals functioning, including traffic, pedestrian and cycle track.

Utility work began early in 2016, and the project was completed by fall 2017.

Project information

This section of Washington Avenue is part of County Road 152, which goes from Highway 62 in Minneapolis to County Road 81 in Brooklyn Park. County Road 152 is a turnback from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, who managed it when it was State Highway 52. The turnback status provides state money for completion of this project.

The project received approval of the preliminary layout from the Minneapolis City Council in 2014.

Preliminary layout 3 - January 2014 (PDF 6MB)

Washington Avenue corridor

Although construction will end at 5th Avenue South, the design was created to include the rest of Washington Avenue to I-35W. The concept plans will provide guidance as future projects are identified and as funding becomes available. In the interim, a striping project will add in-street bike lanes to Washington Avenue between Portland Avenue and I-35W in 2017. A similar striping project was completed in 2015, adding bike lanes from Hennepin Avenue to Plymouth Avenue.

Draft traffic operation analysis - April 2013 (PDF 9MB)

Existing conditions layout - May 2013 (PDF)

Land use context and typology - May 2013 (PDF 5MB)

Area wide plan - May 2013 (PDF 7MB)

Public involvement

Construction

A pre-construction open house was held in August 2016.

Design

A public meeting was held December 4, 2012. Attendees provided input on existing conditions, challenges, opportunities and preliminary alternatives.

Public involvement part 1 summary report (PDF 19MB)

A second public meeting was held May 14, 2013 to gain public input on concept layout alternatives and urban design elements. Input was also gathered through online surveys and stakeholder meetings.

Public involvement part 2 summary report - July 2013 (PDF 12MB)

There was strong public feedback supporting a bicycle lane behind the curb to make it more accessible for bicyclists. Following these sessions, the staff developed Preliminary Layout 3.

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