1st Ave. S. reconstruction, Lake St. to Franklin Ave.

The City will fully reconstruct the street on 1st. Ave. S. from Lake St. to Franklin Ave.

Key information

Dates

2024-2026

Location

1st. Ave. S. from Lake St. to Franklin Ave.

Whittier

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

1st Ave. S closure

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 is closed from Franklin Ave to 22nd St and 24th St to 27th St.
  • Vehicle detour route: Lake St., Lyndale Ave. and Franklin Ave.
  • Bicycle detour route: Lake St., Blaisdell Ave. and Nicollet Ave., and Franklin Ave.

Traffic impacts

  • 1st Ave. S., between 22nd and Franklin Ave. remains closed. Work is taking place mid-block and access will be maintained from either side for local residents.
  • 1st Ave. S., between 22nd St. and 24th St. is a temporary two-way street to keep access to driveways.
  • The intersection of First Ave. S. and 24th St. is closed.
  • The intersection of First Ave. S. and 25th St. is open with a gravel surface.
  • The intersection of First Ave. S. and 26th St. is open with two vehicle traffic lanes.
  • 1st Ave. S, between 26th and 27th St. is closed.
  • 1st Ave. S, between Cecil Newman and 27th St. will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained.
  • 1st Ave. S, between Lake St. and Cecil Newman Ln. will be a single lane.
  • The bike lanes along 1st Ave. remain closed between 27th St. and 19th St. E.

Community engagement

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

Public meeting #3 - Open house

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

Public meeting #2 - Open house

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

Public meeting #1 - Virtual open house

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

Project video

Project map

1st Avenue S Reconstruction - Project map

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

 

Project phase

This project is in progress.

Input

Design

In Progress

Complete

shady bike lane

Project update - June 27, 2025

We send out regular email updates for this project.

Contact us

Tracy Lindgren

Project Engineer
Public Works

Phone

612-290-5898

Henneh Kota

Engineer I
Surface Water & Sewers
Public Works

Phone

612-816-9047

 

 

 

First Ave South Project Team