Project goals

• Improve safety and mobility for all people and modes of travel.
• Install an All Ages and Abilities bikeway facility.
• Find opportunities for green storm water improvements, plantings, and trees.
• Accommodate property access for people.
• Incorporate existing City policies.

Project overview

We plan to reconstruct 1.0 mile of 1st Ave. S. between Lake St. to Franklin Ave. 

Upgrades will include:

• new sidewalks
• ADA pedestrian ramps
• bicycle accommodations
• new pavement
• curb and gutter replacement
• utility improvements
• greenway bridge replacement
• storm and sanitary sewer replacement
• signal improvements
• new signage
• new pavement markings

View interactive map

Project update

What to expect:

• Concrete work on the sidewalks, bike facility, and curb and gutter between 25th St. E and Franklin Ave E will take place.
• Pavement removals and storm sewer work will be taking place in the south half of the 26^th St intersection.
• Pavement removals and grading will be taking place between 26^th and 25^th St E.
• Work on the new lighting system will take place between 27th and 26th St E.
• Planting for the new storm water gardens between Lake St and 27th St E will take place later this fall.

Traffic impacts

• Segments of 1st Ave. S will continue to be closed through the summer and fall. Drivers will need to follow the posted detour ­­­­­­­­­­­route.
• 1st Ave. S., between 22nd and Franklin Ave. is open to local traffic.
• 1st Ave. S., between 22nd St. and 24th St. is open to local traffic.
• The intersection of 1st Ave. S and 22nd St. is open to traffic.
• The intersection of 1st Ave. S. and 24th St. is open to cross traffic.
• The intersection of 1st Ave. S. and 25th St. is closed to cross traffic.
• The intersection of 1st Ave. S. and 26th St. is open with one lane.
• 1st Ave. S., between Lake St. and 27th St. is open to reduced traffic lanes.
• The bike lanes along 1st Ave. remain closed between 27th St. and 19th St. E.
• The final layer of asphalt will be added over the entire project area later this fall. It will be completed in phases.
• The final layer of asphalt between Lake St. and 26th St. E. will be placed at the end of next week. Work is tentatively scheduled to start on Friday, September 26.  This will remove the asphalt along the curb lines.  Asphalt paving is scheduled to start the next day.  When the asphalt pavement is complete, the pavement will be sawed and sealed. This work is anticipated to be completed on Tuesday, September 30. The 28^th and 27th St. intersections will remain open for cross traffic.  There will be limited total closures at 26th St. E.

Past project meetings

Public meeting #5 - Pre-assessment meeting

We held a public meeting to provide construction updates as well as answer questions and concerns on May 2, 2024.

Public meeting #4 - Virtual open house

We held a virtual public meeting, presentation, and question & answer session on March 6, 2024

• View documents from Public meeting #4

Public meeting #3 - Open house

We held an open house at the Loring Park Community Arts Center on September 19, 2022.

• View documents from Public meeting #3

Public meeting #2 - Open house

We held an open house at Whittier Community School on May 25, 2022.

• View documents from Public meeting #2

Public meeting #1 - Virtual open house

We held a virtual public meeting, presentation, and question & answer session on March 8, 2022.

• View the meeting presentation
• View the meeting question & answer

Project video

1st Avenue S Reconstruction - Project overview

• View project overview video
• First Avenue South Reconstruction - Open house presentation

Project map

1st Avenue S Reconstruction - Project map

• View project map (2024)
• View project map (2022)

Lake at Nicollet reopening

The City will re-open Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane.

View the Lake at Nicollet reopening project