Hwy 47 & Hwy 65 — Planning study

View full-size mapThe study area spans over 10 miles of Highway 47 and Highway 65. Along this stretch, there is a variety of people, activities, and concerns. In an effort to break this large corridor down into more manageable pieces, the project team has broken the project area down into 5 key areas.

• Area 1: South of 27th Ave
• Area 2: 27th to 37th Ave
• Area 3: 37th to 694
• Area 4: 694 to Osborne Rd
• Area 5: Osborne Rd to 10

Since the roadway is too long to make a one-size-fits-all solution, the project team will be creating roadway design concepts for each focus area. Your feedback will be critical to shaping a design that fits the unique character and needs of each area.

Video tours

What is it like to travel along these roads? Click on the links below to see short videos of travel along the two roads. These virtual tours show what it looks like to drive or walk or bike on these streets.

University Ave. (Hwy 47)

• University Ave. – From Osborne to US Hwy 10
• University Ave. – From I-694 to Osborne Rd. NE
• University Ave. – From 37th Ave. NE to I-694
• University Ave. – Central Ave. to 37th Ave. NE

Central Ave. (Hwy 65)

• Central Ave. – From Osborne Rd. NE to US Hwy 10
• Central Ave. – From I-694 to Osborne Rd. NE
• Central Ave. – From 37th Ave. NE to I-694
• Central Ave. – From University Ave. NE to 37th Ave. NE

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is developing a future vision for the 10-mile stretch of Highway 47 (University Ave.) and Highway 65 (Central Ave.) that extends from where they meet in Northeast Minneapolis northward through Columbia Heights, Hilltop, and Fridley to County Highway 10 in Blaine and Spring Lake Park.

To better understand the existing conditions and transportation needs of the study area, MnDOT and project staff carried out an extensive public engagement program that reached more than 2,200 residents and stakeholders. The MnDOT project team and its partners engaged with people in the study area in October and November 2020. The public engagement program was largely successful in connecting with the broad group of community members and organizations that rely on University and Central avenues. The project team made special efforts to reach people with different backgrounds, spoken languages and perspectives. The engagement work is part of a larger MnDOT study analyzing both transportation data and community input along the roads, which is called a Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) study program. This program emphasizes community engagement and collaboration early in transportation planning and environmental processes.

Key themes and takeaways

Pedestrian and transit user concerns

Pedestrian safety was a significant concern along both University and Central avenues, but survey results indicated that people tend to have a less comfortable experience along the former. Twenty percent of respondents wanted motorists to slow down, while 16% mentioned that drivers disobeying traffic laws was a problem. Additionally, pedestrians indicated that more crosswalks are needed, and the traffic lights for some that are in place don’t give them enough time to cross. Among transit users, the most significant areas of improvement included adding more bus shelters and implementing a better snow removal process along sidewalks and near bus shelters.

Bicyclist concerns

Bicyclists and non-bicyclists alike generally agreed that bike safety should be addressed along both University and Central avenues. Overall, 81% of survey respondents said they feel unsafe while biking along University Avenue, while 83% said the same regarding Central Avenue. Bicyclists who travel along the study area mentioned that motorists were a concern because they speed or don’t pay attention. Many respondents suggested adding or expanding bike lanes, including protected ones, in the study area.

Motorist concerns

People who had traveled within or through the study area generally felt the safest when doing so by car, but many motorists expressed concerns that vehicle traffic may negatively affect pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Survey respondents were concerned about speeding, and many suggested lowering speed limits, better street design and increased enforcement to curb the issue. Many also mentioned that traffic lights around the study area feel out of sync, and both streets become very congested.

Upcoming

Information about upcoming meetings will be posted as details become available.

Past

• Oct. 28: Virtual open houses
• Oct. 27: Virtual open house

Speakers and raised arrows on APS signals provide information about the intersection to pedestrians with hearing and visual impairment.

All MnDOT projects - both new construction and rehabilitation projects - must include evaluation to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Components can include, but are not limited to adding curb cuts, truncated domes and accessible pedestrian signals. Read about MnDOT's transition plan to comply with the ADA.

Specific for this study:

• There are none specified for this study.