42nd Street intersection safety improvements

Project overview

The project will make safety improvements at the intersections listed below.

• 42nd St E & Bloomington Ave S
• 42nd St E & 15th Ave S
• 42nd St E & 10th Ave S
• 42nd St E & 3rd Ave S
• 42nd St E & 4th Ave S
• 42nd St E & Stevens Ave S

The improvements made with this project will meet current and future needs and aligns with City plans and policies, including: 

• Transportation Action Plan
• Vision Zero Action Plan
• Complete Streets policy
• ADA Transition Plan
• Climate Equity Plan

View interactive map

Project goals

• Reduce car travel speeds and unsafe driving

• Improve pedestrian safety and ease of crossing the street

• Increase access to homes and parks

• Enhance traffic signals to improve safety

• Set the foundation for improved bike facilities for future projects

Learn more about the project

Construction update

Upcoming work

• City crews will continue with the installation of the traffic signal at Bloomington Ave. 
• Work will continue at Stevens Avenue. We will haul away material that we can't use on site. We will prepare the roadbed for new gravel, concrete curb and pavement.
• We will complete repair work for a drainage problem on the west side of Bloomington Ave, immediately north of 42nd Street. This work includes finishing sidewalk and asphalt paving to finish
• We are also adding topsoil to the boulevards at several of the intersections in preparation for seeding within the next week or so.

We anticipate completing all work by late July/early August. We will keep you updated throughout the summer on our progress.

We do not expect the contractor to be working this weekend.

Traffic impacts

Detour and bus detour for the 42nd & Bloomington Ave intersection update:

• Intersection is now open again and transit is back to normal operations.
• 42nd & Bloomington Ave will operate as an all-way stop, until signal is installed and operational. 

Note: Our work at Bloomington Ave will affect the bus stop for southbound Bloomington Ave. Watch for changes at the southbound stop location.

The intersection of 42nd & Stevens will remain closed between the alley just west of Stevens Ave to 2nd Ave.

• Area is open to bicyclists and pedestrians on the north side of the street, including the bridge.
• We ask bikers to walk their bikes past the construction area for everyone's safety.

Also, there are several other projects in the area affecting traffic patterns. This work includes:

• Sanitary sewer work along 16th Ave South between 42nd and 40th Street;
• Storm sewer work along 42nd Street between Chicago and 13th Avenues South;
• Centerpoint Energy transmission line replacement:
  • Several intersections along 42nd Street between 2nd and 15th Avenues South.

Past meetings

Pre-construction stakeholder meeting

The project team held a Pre-construction stakeholder meeting on May 5, 2026. This meeting will provide an overview of the project and important upcoming project construction information. 

• View the May 5 Pre-construction meeting presentation
• View the May 5 Pre-construction meeting recording

Open house phase 2 meeting

The project team held an open house on September 17, 2024. This open house showed community members the proposed intersection concepts.

Open house phase 1 meeting

The project team held a virtual open house on June 4, 2024. This open house provided an introduction and overview of the project.