Grand Avenue Reconstruction

Project Details

Description
The City of Saint Paul plans to reconstruct Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue in 2024 and 2025. This project will be completed in two phases to maintain access to businesses and properties.

In 2024, Phase 1 will reconstruct Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue (including the intersection) to Cambridge Street. In 2025, Phase 2 will reconstruct Grand Avenue from Cambridge Street to Snelling Avenue, including the Snelling Avenue intersection in coordination with MnDOT.

The project includes replacement of the pavement, sidewalks, and underground utilities along the corridor. This is the first full reconstruction of this section of Grand Avenue in many decades and presents an opportunity to refresh the historic street to better accommodate all modes of travel to and along the corridor.

The Public Works goals of the project are to:

Improve safety along the corridor, with an emphasis on pedestrian crossing safety
Upgrade and modernize ageing infrastructure
Improve built environment to better serve Grand Avenue businesses
Improve transit user experience
Balance mode share to encourage non-automotive trips along and to the corridor
Improve pedestrian crossing interactions/placemaking through Macalester College campus

Location
Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue

Timeline

Community engagement started in 2022 and was completed in early 2023
Construction of Phase 1 from Fairview Avenue to Cambridge Street will be in 2024
Construction of Phase 2 from Cambridge Street to Snelling Avenue will be in 2025

Tags

Utility Construction Work Starts April 15

Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) will start private lead water service line replacement work on Monday, April 15 on Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Cambridge Street.

Traffic Impacts on Grand Avenue:

Grand Avenue will remain open during the water utility construction work.
Vehicle lanes will be adjusted to accommodate the construction area in the parking lane.
There will be no center turn lane through the construction area.
Parking will not be allowed in the construction area.
Traffic control will change throughout the construction.
Please follow all posted signs.

Please note: SPRWS is also scheduled to replace lead water service lines on Snelling Avenue between Fairmont Avenue and St Clair Avenue starting the week of April 15 before MnDOT's Snelling Avenue project begins later this summer.

For questions, contact SPRWS at 651-266-6350 or waterinquiries@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Construction Phases

Public Works will be reconstructing Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Snelling Avenue in 2024 and 2025.

2024 - Phase 1: Fairview Avenue (including the intersection) to Cambridge Street
2025 - Phase 2: Cambridge Street to Snelling Avenue, including the Snelling Avenue intersection in coordination with MnDOT

Prior to the start of the reconstruction work on Phase 1, there will be construction activity, including tree removal and utility work.

Map of reconstruction of Grand Avenue in phase 1 from Fairview to Cambridge in 2024 and phase 2 from Cambridge to Snelling in 2025

Learn More: Video Presentation

Learn more about the project, by viewing a short video presentation.

You can also view the PowerPoint slides that were used in the presentation and see a one-page handout about the project.

Video Presentation

Action Steps for Businesses & Property Owners

Sign up for email updates at the bottom of this webpage
Provide the best contact person and information for your business or organization using the button below
Notify Public Works if you have any items in the public right of way, such as sprinklers, benches, etc.
Notify Public Works if you have areaways or vaults (areas that extend from the basement of your building under the sidewalk)
Look for additional mailings about replacement about your private sewer and water service lines

Business & Organization Sign Up

Public Works will use this information to reach out to your business or organization about construction.

FAQs

- Yes, vehicle traffic will be able to make all turns at Cambridge Street and Grand Avenue.
- Eastbound Grand Avenue vehicles will turn left and right on to Cambridge Street from the drive lane. There is no designated left turn lane to Cambridge Street. The pedestrian refuge median will not impact left turns.
- Westbound Grand Avenue vehicles will turn left on to Cambridge Street from a designated left turn lane.
- Vehicles on Cambridge Street will turn left on to Grand Avenue from the drive lane.
Thru traffic on Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Snelling Avenue will be closed for two years during construction. Local access to businesses and properties will be maintained. Construction activities will be suspended, and the street reopened to vehicles and pedestrians during the winter 2024-2025.
During Phase 1 in 2024 vehicle access will be primarily from Snelling Avenue (the east). During Phase 2 in 2025 vehicle access will be primarily from Fairview Avenue (the west). Alley access will be maintained.
There will be no parking signs posted on Grand Avenue in the construction areas.
- The goal is to maintain front door access to businesses and residential properties to the extent possible.
- Sidewalk access in front of businesses and residential properties will be maintained as long as possible.
- The project will coordinate access and restrictions to access with businesses and property owners.
- When new sidewalk is poured, there will be a time when access is limited.
- Street reconstruction project funded by:
  New 1% city sales tax
  Municipal State Aid
  Assessments to abutting property owners
- Estimated assessment project rate has not yet been determined and will be determined through a special benefit analysis before the project starts
- Property owners will receive a letter with the estimated assessment rate and notice of a public hearing before the project starts
- Property owners are assessed after the construction project is complete
- View information about and pay assessments at www.stpaul.gov/assessments

Project Documents

Grand Avenue Overall Design Concept:
Grand Avenue Recommended Layout
Right of Way usage:
- Curb-to-curb width narrowed from 55 feet to 48 feet (7-foot roadway width reduction)
  Left turn lane remains at 10 feet
  Travel lanes narrowed from 13 feet to 11 feet
  Parking lanes narrowed from 10 feet to 8 feet
- Total non-vehicle space widened from 24 feet to 32 feet
  Sidewalks remain at 6 feet in residential areas, 8 feet in commercial areas
  Boulevards widened from 6 feet to 10 feet in residential areas, 8 feet in commercial areas
  In commercial areas with paved boulevard space, sidewalk space widened from 12 feet to 16 feet
Intersections:
At unsignalized intersections:
- Bumpouts installed at each non-signalized intersection narrowing crossing distance from 55 feet to 36 feet.
At Fairview Avenue:
- Bumpouts are proposed to be installed at each intersection quadrant, narrowing crossing distance to 36 feet.
At Cambridge Street:
- The intersection will feature different improvements in order to facilitate safe crossing for students of the adjacent Hidden River Jr High.
- West leg of Grand Avenue:
  Sidewalk: 8 feet
  Boulevard: 8 feet (paved on the south side, landscaped on the north side)
  Sidewalk extension: 6 feet (on the south side)
  Through-lanes: 11 feet (westbound) / 13 feet (eastbound)
  Parking lane: 8 feet (westbound)
  Center median island: 10 feet
- East leg of Grand Avenue:
  Sidewalk: 8 feet
  Boulevard: 8 feet (paved on both sides)
  Sidewalk extension: 6 feet (on both sides)
  Through-lanes: 13 feet
  Center left turn lane: 10 feet
Between Macalester Street and Snelling Avenue:
- The block segment will feature a unique layout which will be carried forward from a previous project done in coordination with Macalester College and Public Works in 2008. This project constructed the center median and established the current layout. The reconstruction will narrow the street width to be in line with the other segments of Grand Avenue but will maintain the existing layout between the crossing points. Rendering of the raised crossings.
- Grand Ave block segment between the east and west mid-block crossings:
  Sidewalk width: 8 feet
  Boulevard width: 14 feet
  Roadway width: 36 feet
  Through-lanes: 14 feet
  Center median: 8 feet
- Mid-block crossings through this section will be consolidated down to two from the existing three points. These crossings will be improved to legal crossings with signage, marking and be raised in order to maximize accessibility and traffic calming through the college campus.
For additional details and explanation on design rationale, please find further reading below under technical data & design.
- One-page Project Summary - March 2024
- Letter to residents - March 2024
- PowerPoint slides from March 21, 2024 meeting
- Video presentation with PowerPoint slides from March 21, 2024 meeting

Other Construction Projects in the Area

Hidden River Middle School – summer 2024 to fall 2025
Snelling Avenue (MnDOT)
- Grand Avenue to St Clair Avenue – mid-July through August 2024
- Montreal Avenue to Ford Parkway – spring through summer 2024
Macalester College – 2026

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Grand Avenue Reconstruction

Project Details

Utility Construction Work Starts April 15

Construction Phases

Learn More: Video Presentation

Action Steps for Businesses & Property Owners

FAQs

Will left turns at Cambridge Street be allowed?

How will business and property access be maintained?

How will pedestrians access Grand Avenue during construction? Will the sidewalks be open?

How is the project funded? Will there be assessments?

Project Documents

Grand Avenue Preferred Concept Layout

Maps

Letters & Flyers

Videos and Meeting Materials

Engagement Materials

Technical Data & Design

Other Construction Projects in the Area

Contact Us