Hwy 5 in St. Paul to Maplewood project map. Click map for larger version.
Safety, maintenance and accessibility improvements are needed on Hwy 5/Minnehaha Ave. and Stillwater Rd. in St. Paul and Maplewood. We are planning a project from North Mendota St. to Century Ave. in 2023. The project will include repaving, maintenance, sidewalk repairs, and accessibility for all.
Summary of work
Road resurfacing
Sidewalk repairs
Updating sidewalk curb ramps
Adding curb extensions or “bump-outs”
Replacing traffic signals and adding pedestrian lighting
Trail and driveway updates
Bus stop improvements
What we heard from the community
To prepare for this project, MnDOT met with community members to share information about the improvements, answer questions and get their feedback. In total, MnDOT reached more than 130,000 individuals with information about the project through emails, direct mail, social media posts and print ads. MnDOT also reached out to 24 different organizations and government entities in the project area. More than 70 individuals asked questions or made comments about the project to MnDOT through its scoping survey and two virtual public meetings.
Key topics of interest:
Curb extensions: Vehicle speeds and safety were prominent concerns MnDOT heard from the community. Many believed the curb extensions – which make crossings shorter for pedestrians and make pedestrians more visible to drivers – would slow speeds on the road.
Sidewalk repairs: During both the open houses and in the scoping survey, participants expressed excitement for the planned sidewalk repairs.
Stormwater pond: As part of the project, MnDOT initially proposed to construct a stormwater pond to capture and treat runoff north of Olivia Ct. in Maplewood. UPDATE: In fall 2021, we received news that our water resources team was able to address stormwater treatment for the project at other locations and a stormwater pond is no longer being proposed at this location or on this project.
Tree removal: During the virtual public meetings, people raised questions about the removal of trees for this project, particularly at the proposed site for the stormwater pond and within boulevards. Trees in the boulevard between the street and the sidewalk do not usually withstand construction. MnDOT’s forester will evaluate each tree to try to keep as many as they can. MnDOT is also pursuing funding to replace some of the trees removed during construction.
Easements: This project will require temporary easements that allow MnDOT to come onto the lawns and driveways of any applicable properties to repair sidewalks and driveway aprons.
Overall, people expressed support for the planned safety and accessibility improvements throughout the corridor. Many agreed that the existing conditions in the corridor needed improvement – particularly the sidewalks and vehicle speeds. MnDOT’s planned improvements seek to address those primary concerns.
A summary of proposed improvements, community engagement activities and feedback has been compiled into a public report. For a copy of the report, please contact us. This community input will influence MnDOT’s final designs for improvements on Hwy 5/Minnehaha Ave. and Stillwater Rd.
Next steps
The work along Minnehaha Ave. and Stillwater Rd. will require easements, allowing MnDOT access to the lawns and driveways of any applicable properties to make repairs. All impacted property owners will begin receiving information from MnDOT this summer. Design work is underway and construction is planned for summer 2023.
Traffic impacts
All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be provided as details become available.
