University Avenue Northeast/Highway 47

About this project

We are working to make University Ave. Northeast (Hwy 47) from Central Ave. Southeast (Hwy 65) to 27th Ave. Northeast in Minneapolis safer and easier to use. We want to make sure everyone can use University Ave. safely and comfortably, whether they walk, roll, ride a bike, use public transit, or drive a car or truck.

Based on extensive community input, we developed a design that will improve safety along the corridor for everyone. The design includes narrowing University Ave. Northeast from four to three lanes, making bike lane improvements, adding medians and enhancing safety at intersections. You can review these improvements on the design webpage.

Construction is scheduled for 2027 and 2028, with potential utility work in 2026. More information about construction is available below, under construction schedule.

We will share more details as the project approaches. Please sign up for email updates to stay informed.

Background

Project improvements were developed based on recent studies of the area and input from thousands of community members. This includes the Hwy 47/Hwy 65 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study, and comments from more than 4,500 people who gave their input on University Ave. Northeast changes.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback! You can review what we heard on the community engagement webpage.

Summary of work

• Repave University Ave. between Central Ave. and 27th Ave. Northeast
• Narrow University Ave. Northeast from four lanes to three lanes
• Create boulevards to separate sidewalks from the road
• Add curb extensions on side streets
• Add a bike lane on University Ave. Northeast between Central Ave. and 1st Ave., as identified in the City of Minneapolis’ Transportation Action Plan All Ages and Abilities Bikeway Network
• Add medians between travel lanes in key places
• Remove on-street parking along much of the road, except in key places
• Shift the intersection of University Ave. Northeast and Lowry Ave. Northeast to the south
• Remove the separate right turn in the southwest corner of the intersection of Broadway St. Northeast and University Ave. Northeast and add boulevard space between the roadway and the sidewalk
• Update sidewalks, intersections and crossings to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Improve drainage
• Remove guardrail

Construction schedule

During construction, work is anticipated to occur in two segments, or separate areas of construction activity, with one segment being worked on at a time. Road closures will be limited to the segment under construction to help reduce traffic impacts.

• Segment 1 (2027 construction): University Ave. Northeast between Central Ave. Northeast and 9th Ave. Northeast
• Segment 2 (2028 construction): University Ave. Northeast between 9th Ave. Northeast and 27th Ave. Northeast

Work may be active at multiple locations within the segment under construction at the same time. The order of work will not always be linear. For example, work might occur in one section near Central Ave. Northeast and then next move several blocks to a segment closer to Broadway St. Northeast. This approach will help maintain access and minimize traffic impacts, including from other nearby projects. We are working closely with other nearby projects to coordinate all our work.

Detours

Detoured traffic will primarily be directed to Central Ave. and Broadway St. We are committed to carefully staging construction in ways that maintain access and minimize impacts as much as possible.

Construction updates

We will provide timely updates before major construction milestones and traffic changes to allow residents, businesses and other stakeholders to plan ahead. Once construction begins, the project team will continue to actively monitor traffic conditions and construction impacts and will adjust as needed to improve traffic flow and safety. 

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as this project moves forward. Please sign up for project email updates for more information.

Traffic impacts

All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.

Upcoming

Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be provided as details become available.