Project 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

Learn more about Phase 1

View the interactive map

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

These safe routes to school construction project commence the week of June 15, 2026.

The substantial completion date for this construction project is in early November 2026.

The plans include 4 stages to improve in 2026.

What to expect

Stages 2 and 3 will be under construction from June through August, that includes:

• 26th Street at Harriet Ave. and Grand Ave.

• 27th Street between Blaisdell Ave. and Lyndale Ave.

Stages 1 and 4 will begin from September through October, the work includes:

• 28th Street between Blaisdell Ave. and Lyndale Ave.

• 26th Street on Stevens Ave. and between Blaisdell Ave. and Pleasant Ave.

Traffic impacts

Traffic will impact due to the peak of the summer construction season.

Traffic and pedestrian detours:

• Will vary at each intersection depending on daily work scheduled at each intersection.

• Lane narrowing and/or intersection closure are expected under construction.  

Neighborhood construction meeting

Join us at the Whittier Safe Routes to School - Phase 2 - Neighborhood construction meeting. This meeting will provide an overview of the project and important upcoming project construction information. 

• Thursday, June 11, 2026
• 4:30 p.m.
  via Microsoft Teams
• Meeting ID: 224 678 585 255 988  
• Passcode: tc3wx7Bx

Join the Whittier Safe Routes to School - Phase 2 - Neighborhood construction meeting

Accessing the virtual Teams meeting via your mobile device may require downloading of the Microsoft Teams app to your mobile device.

• Call in, audio only participation: 612-276-6670   
• Phone conference ID: 671 811 118#

Help with Microsoft Teams

Anyone can join a Microsoft Teams web meeting. A free software download may be required. The type of download may vary based on how you join the meeting (computer, android device, apple device).

Learn more about Microsoft Teams

Community engagement

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