Whittier Safe Routes to School Phase 2
This is a Safe Routes to School project focused on Whittier Elementary School. The City will be improving traffic safety to make walking and biking to school easier.
Dates
2023 – 2027
Location
W. 26th, 27th, and 28th streets between Blaisdell Avenue and Lyndale Avenue S. Intersection of E. 26th Street at Stevens Avenue WhittierProject overview
This project will add safety improvements near Whittier Elementary School. The project area includes W. 26th, 27th, and 28th streets between Blaisdell Avenue and Lyndale Avenue S. The intersection of E. 26th Street at Stevens Avenue will also be improved.
Project goals
- Improve comfort and safety for students walking and biking to school
- Create calmer streets for users of all ages and abilities
- Improve access to Whittier Elementary School
- Address traffic safety needs at intersections
Phase 1
Phase 1 of this project added improvements at these intersections:
- W 26th St and Grand Ave
- W 27th St and Blaisdell Ave
Construction updates
The project construction includes
- Bituminous and concrete surfacing
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps
- Intersection crossing improvements
- Curb extensions
- Revise traffic signal systems
- Improve underground utility systems
- Signage and new pavement markings
- Buffer and separate bicycle lanes
2026 Construction
The safe routes to school construction project commenced in the week of June 22, 2026.
Four construction stages were completed in 2026.
Minor tasks will continue to be worked on until they are fully completed by the end of this year.
2027 Construction
Mill and overlay will take place on W. 26th and 28th Streets between Lyndale and Nicollet Ave.
Construction of stage five will follow the mill and overlay. That includes concrete median and bike buffer work for W. 26th and 28th Streets.
Installation of permanent signing and pavement markings will be performed in 2027.
Traffic Impacts
- 26th and 28th Streets are currently fully open to Traffic.
- Temporary bike detour is still in place on the south side on 28th Street.
Bi-weekly stakeholder meeting
No stakeholder meeting will be held for Whittier SRTS Phase 2 in 2027.
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Community engagement
Neighborhood pre-construction meeting - June 11, 2026
This meeting covered an overview of the project. We also went over important construction information.
Whittier Neighborhood Day
Project staff attended Whittier Neighborhood Day on May 3, 2025.
Fall 2024 engagement
There were two ways the public provided feedback on this project:
- Completed a survey
- Shared their experiences on an online feedback map
Project resources
-2.jpg "Whittier Safe Routes to School Phase 2 complete 2 - tile")
.jpg "A protected bikeway and sidewalk next to a street.")
Project phase
This project is in progress.
Input
Design
In Progress
Complete
Safe Routes to School projects
For more information on other Safe Routes to School (SRTS) safety improvements, visit the Safe Routes to School program page.