Background
We conducted a study from March 2024 to February 2026 on Hwy 7 from St. Bonifacius to Hopkins and worked with local partners and engaged with community members to understand transportation needs, identify opportunities and explore options to benefit future improvements on Hwy 7.
This study was also supplemented by a road safety audit on Hwy 7 between Hwy 100 in St. Louis Park and Carver Co. Rd. 33 in Hollywood Township from November 2021 to June 2022. Public feedback and recommendations from the audit were incorporated into the study from St. Bonifacius to Hopkins.
This study included an extensive public engagement effort where thousands of people provided ideas and recommendations through pop-up events, virtual meetings, online surveys, email/webpage comments and more.
The public input gathered was used to develop and review concepts to address safety and mobility concerns to help shape the vision for a safer and more connected Hwy 7.
What we heard
Using public input and technical analysis, the study identified three primary needs:
- Safety for all users
- Mobility with reliable travel for drivers and transporting goods
- Walkability and bikeability improvements
A key learning from the study was the desire for safer roads, fewer crashes, less congestion and better options for walking and biking.
During the study we also developed and evaluated design alternatives to address the public’s concerns and input. This included a range of recommendations, including:
- No build of the road (rather only adding minor safety or capacity improvements)
- Implementation of roundabouts
- Concepts for a variety of improved intersections
- Addition of a concrete median to prevent cross-over crashes.
- Note: It was decided this barrier will not be part of the preliminary design as this is a pavement preservation project and a concrete median barrier would require road reconstruction, which is outside of the scope of work for this project.
- Note: It was decided this barrier will not be part of the preliminary design as this is a pavement preservation project and a concrete median barrier would require road reconstruction, which is outside of the scope of work for this project.
Study report
Findings and the above noted design alternatives are documented in the Study report (PDF) and the Executive summary (PDF).