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Description
The City of Saint Paul plans to reconstruct University Avenue from I-35E to Lafayette Road in 2025 and 2026. The roadway is approximately ¼ mile, serves multiple modes of transportation, and provides access to several properties through a primarily industrial area.  The intersection of Lafayette Road and University Avenue is part of this work, but the design has not yet been finalized.  

Project improvements include improved curbs and pedestrian ramps, sidewalk updates, new road surface, more trees, shared use walk/bike path, new street lighting, and replacement of underground utilities as needed.

Location
University Avenue from I-35E to Lafayette Road

Timeline
2025 - 2026

University Avenue Reconstruction design map.
Tags

June 18, 2026 Construction Update

This week (June 22 - 26):

Construction Hours:

  • Work hours planned Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. 
  • Phase 1 will continue through mid-summer.

University Avenue and Lafayette Road

  • Phase 1 will continue at the intersection of Lafayette Road and University Avenue.
    • This intersection will be closed to through access.
  • Watermain installation to begin.
  • Sanitary Sewer installation to begin.
  • Private utility work ongoing.

University Avenue between North Pine and North John Streets:

  • Remains open through mid-summer.
    • Vehicle access to remain for businesses.
    • Pedestrian access to remain.
  • 4-way stop installation for traffic control.

University Avenue between L’Orient Street and North Pine Street:

  • Phase 1 will close University Avenue between L’Orient and North Pine Streets through mid-summer.
  • Pavement and pipe removals will continue.
  • Private utility work ongoing.

Next week (June 30 – July 3)

**No work on Friday, July 3 in observance of July 4**

University Avenue and Lafayette Road

  • Continued installation of Watermain.
  • Continued installation of Sanitary Sewer.
  • Private utility work ongoing.

Local and business access

  • Local and business access remains open via Olive and North Pine Streets.
  • Please avoid using private business property as a shortcut. It is not a through-route for public traffic, and doing so can disrupt operations and create safety concerns. Thank you for using designated routes.

Pedestrian access during construction

  • Pedestrians should follow posted detour signs along University Avenue. Pedestrian access will change as crews work in the area.
  • When work occurs in intersections, there will always be one north/south and one east/west crossing available.

Bus Stops

All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

University Avenue Reconstruction Detour Map

Printable Detour Map

University Avenue Reconstruction Community Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Thanks to everyone who joined Public Works on May 26 to learn more about the University Avenue Reconstruction Project. If you were unable to attend, you can view the presentation slides below.

University Avenue Presentation Slides

Public Works has hired a contractor for the full reconstruction of University Avenue from just west of I-35E to Lafayette Road.  Construction for this project is anticipated to start in June 2026. The roadway is approximately ¼ mile, serves multiple modes of transportation, and provides access to several properties through a primarily industrial area. A letter will be sent to property owners with properties abutting University.

Project Updates

Investing in Saint Paul Streets: Common Cent 

A portion of this street reconstruction project will be paid for by a 1% local option sales tax, called Common Cent. This sales tax was approved by Saint Paul voters in November 2023. A portion of the project will also be funded through assessments to property owners adjacent to the project. The estimated assessment rate is based on a third-party special benefit analysis of the property values in the project area. Property owners will receive a notice of the estimated rate and date for a public hearing when estimated rates are available. More information on assessments can be found at www.stpaul.gov/specialassessments.