Hiawatha Avenue construction in Minneapolis to start Sept. 8
Crews will make pedestrian safety improvements at East 45th Street and East 46th Street
ROSEVILLE, Minn. — Road work on Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue at East 45th Street and East 45th Steet in Minneapolis is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Motorists should expect delays as Hiawatha Avenue will be reduced to single lane traffic in both directions between Minnehaha Parkway and East 44th Street until the project is completed in December.
The project will make pedestrian safety improvements to the area by adding new pedestrian signals, crosswalks and pedestrian refuge areas, as well as reconstructing turn lanes for safer turn speeds and better sightlines. A median fence will also be installed between East 45th Street and East 46th Street to prevent unsafe pedestrian crossings.
View graphics of the improvements being made at both East 45th Street and East 46th Street on the project website at mndot.gov/metro/projects/hiawathaavempls.
Pedestrian detours will be posted on-site, and access will remain available for pedestrians to the Metro Blue Line and bus stops. During the project, the Metro Blue Line will continue to serve the 46th Street Station. Metro Transit and MVTA buses will also continue to serve stops at the 46th Street Station. Metro Transit travel times are being added to some routes during construction. For the latest route and schedule information, visit Metro Transit and MVTA websites.
Upcoming traffic impacts
In addition to the single-lane traffic in both directions on Hiawatha Avenue, another traffic impact starting mid-September through November is the closure of a portion of East 46th Street between Hiawatha Avenue and 36th Avenue South (access to 36th Avenue South and the Metro Transit bus driveway/parking lot will remain open). This closure will prevent access to/from Hiawatha Avenue and East 46th Street.
Also starting in mid-September and continuing for about a month, the northbound Hiawatha Avenue right turn lane to East 46th Street will be closed.
And, starting in October and continuing for about a month, access to/from Hiawatha Avenue and East 45th Street (east of Hiawatha Avenue) will be closed.
View the detours for these closures on the project website.
All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change. MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution and slow down in work zones where workers are present.
Stay informed on Hiawatha Avenue construction
The public is encouraged to stay informed on the Hiawatha Avenue construction project by visiting the project website and signing up for email updates to learn about new traffic impacts.
For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.
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