Description
The City of Saint Paul plans to reconstruct eight blocks of Robert Street in downtown Saint Paul, from I-94 to Kellogg Boulevard. Reconstruction is needed to repair and replace sidewalks, pavement, and utilities. Improvements include all new:

  • Sidewalks, boulevards, and trees
  • Curb, gutters, and storm water systems
  • Pavement and lane markings
  • Traffic signals and signage
  • Underground utilities

Location
Robert Street from Kellogg Boulevard to I-94 in downtown. 

Timeline 

  • Fall 2022: Community engagement started
  • 2023-2025: Utility work
  • 2025: Construction
  • 2026: Final construction
Tags

July 16 Ribbon Cutting Celebration

Come walk along Robert Street in Downtown Saint Paul and join the City of Saint Paul and Securian Financial for a special Ribbon Cutting event to celebrate the completion of the Robert Street Reconstruction project.

Thursday, July 16, 2026
12:30 p.m.
400 Robert Street N.

The ribbon cutting event is open to the public and will feature remarks from Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, Council President Rebecca Noecker, and Alyssa Schlander, Securian Financial Director of Public Affairs. (This ribbon cutting is being held in coordination with Securian Financial’s Annual Employee Appreciation event.)

Area closures and restrictions in Downtown Saint Paul, July 13, 2026

Construction is happening throughout downtown. Plan accordingly and expect delays. Please follow all posted signs. Road and lane closures will change as construction continues.

Additional event and construction closures that may impact access to downtown Saint Paul:

  • I-35E and Shepard Road access:
    • The shift of I-35E traffic onto a temporary embankment alongside the existing bridge over Shepard Rd. is complete. With the bypass active, the West 7th St. ramp to southbound I-35E is closed through fall as the bridge is demolished and reconstructed. Traffic is directed to follow West 7th St. to Lexington Pkwy. to the Shepard Rd. ramp to southbound I-35E, which is now open. See detour and road closed map.
    • The bypass will maintain two lanes of traffic on northbound I-35E while reducing to one lane of traffic on southbound I-35E from West 7th St. to the Shepard Rd. ramp. Motorists may experience slower traffic and should use caution while traveling through the work zone.
    • For more information about the project, including upcoming traffic impacts, visit the project webpage. If you have questions, please contact the project team.
  • July 10-11 Minnesota Country Club at Harriet Island
  • July 17-19 Minnesota Yacht Club at Harriet Island

For Saint Paul Public Works projects and links to other agencies and their projects, visit www.stpaul.gov/Construction.

For current and upcoming road closures in Saint Paul, visit www.stpaul.gov/RoadClosures.

There will be some short-term lane restrictions due to window washing and roofing on private buildings.

See below for a map of the road closures and restrictions as of July 13, 2026.

  • 4th Street: Lane restrictions between St Peter and Wabasha streets for skyway work.
  • 5th Street: Lane restrictions between Wabasha and Cedar streets for Wabasha Park (formerly Osborn Plaza).
  • 6th Street: 
    • Lane restrictions between West 7th Street and St Peter Street for roofing work.
    • Lane restrictions between Jackson and Minnesota streets.
  • West 7th Street: Lane restrictions between Walnut Street and Kellogg Boulevard on West 7th for sewer work.
  • East 7th Street: Lane restrictions between I-94 and Minnehaha Avenue on East 7th for MnDOT work. One lane in each direction.
  • 10th Street: Lane restrictions between Dorothy Day Place and St Peter Street and between Jackson Street and Sibley Street for District Energy work.
  • Chestnut Street: Closed at West 7th Street for sewer work.
  • Jackson Street:
    • Jackson Street closed to thru traffic from Kellogg Boulevard to Shepard Road for sewer pump station and floodwall work.
    • Jackson Street is open to parking and properties between Kellogg Boulevard and 2nd Street. 2nd Street is open between Jackson and Sibley streets.
    • For more information, visit the city’s Lowertown Floodwall webpage.
  • John Ireland Bridge: Closed for MnDOT reconstruction.
  • Kellogg Boulevard:
    • Westbound lanes closed between West 7th Street and Wabasha Street. Eastbound open with two lanes between West 7th Street and Wabasha Street. For more information about the CCB Kellogg Phase 2 project, visit stpaul.gov/ccbkellogg2.
    • Kellogg Boulevard/3rd Street bridge remains closed through 2027. Kellogg Boulevard remains closed between Lafayette Street and Mounds Boulevard. For more information about the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge project, visit: stpaul.gov/Kellogg-3.
  • Lafayette Road: Road closed to all thru traffic at University Avenue.
  • Minnesota Street: Lane restrictions between Kellogg Boulevard and 4th Street.
  • Robert Street: Final clean up of site happening. Opening celebration and ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 16 at 12:30 p.m. at Securian Financial - 400 North Robert Street.
  • Shepard Road:
    • Westbound Shepard closed between Eagle Parkway and Sibley Street.
    • Shepard Road closed to thru traffic at I-35E for MnDOT bridge reconstruction.
    • Eastbound will remain open from I-35E to Highway 61.
    • Eastbound Shepard traffic can access downtown from Eagle Parkway and Sibley Street (no trucks due to bridge height).
    • Westbound Shepard traffic can access downtown from Sibley Street, except no trucks due to bridge height.
  • Eastbound Shepard Road to I-35E southbound is open. No thru traffic under I-35E.
  • I-35E northbound can exit to eastbound Shepard Road.
  • Shepard Road detour: Lexington Parkway to West 7th Street to Otto Avenue.
  • For more information, visit MnDOT's I-35E and Shepard Road webpage.
  • Temperance Street: Lane restrictions between 7th and 9th streets for roofing work.
  • University Avenue: Road closed between Lafayette Road and L’Orient Street. Access to businesses is being maintained. See access map at www.stpaul.gov/UniversityAvenue
  • Wacouta Street: Lane restrictions between 6th and 7th streets for Xcel Energy work. Southbound traffic only.

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

Downtown Construction & Access Map for Monday, July 13, 2026

Map showing road closures and lane restrictions in Saint Paul as of July 13, 2026. For more information call 651-266-6100.

Help protect the new Robert Street roads and sidewalks this winter!

Salt harms new concrete.
Try sand or grit instead.

Thank you for your collaboration during the Robert Street reconstruction project. We are excited to reopen the road and sidewalks again in late November.

To ensure long-lasting, durable concrete, please do not use salt or ice melt on newly poured sidewalks and roads this winter. Your participation is important to the quality and longevity of the concrete surfaces.

Why skip the salt?

  • New concrete is weakest during its first year.
  • Salt accelerates the freeze/thaw cycle that could result in chipping or cracking of the concrete.
  • Sand or grit (sold as chicken, poultry, or cherry stone grit) is a great alternative for increasing traction on icy surfaces.

Printable flyer on not using salt on new concrete

Design Option B (2 vehicle lanes with a center turn lane) Selected for Robert Street

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the 3 design options for Robert Street based on the first phase of public engagement. 

Based on public input, Design Option B was selected by the City.

Design Option B is 2 vehicle lanes with a center turn lane. The design features wider sidewalks, bumpouts at intersections, in-lane Bus Rapid Transit stations, left turn lanes for multimodal safety, retains on-street parking at key nodes, accommodates green infrastructure to improve water quality, and provides critical loading zones.

View the Concept Design Memo for details on how Design Option B was selected and examples of how a typical block on Robert Street will look.

Graphic showing the path from public input to the 3 design options for Robert Street to the decision to go with Design Option B for Robert Street

Project Goals

The reconstruction of Robert Street presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve the City’s vision of what a modern downtown corridor can be: safe, livable, inviting, active, a center of regional economic activity – and equitable for all. The following project goals will guide this reconstruction project.

  • Create a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone
  • Improve mobility for all modes of travel
  • Support efficient and reliable transit service through downtown
  • Create an accessible and safe environment for people who walk and roll
  • Enhance street-level commerce
  • Facilitate a community engagement process that addresses the needs of all stakeholders
  • Improve and replace aging roads, sidewalks, and utilities in 2025 and 2026

Project Updates - 2026

Project Updates - 2025

Project Updates - 2024

Project Documents

Upcoming public hearing scheduled for June 12

The City of Saint Paul is holding a public hearing for the Robert Street Reconstruction (11th Street to Kellogg Boulevard) project assessment, during the city council meeting next week.

Property owners, tenants, and others are invited to attend the hearing to provide comments on the estimated assessment rate. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you may also provide comments via email, written letter, or voice mail to the contact information listed on your letter. A sample copy of the letter is in project documents below.

For more information about the assessment, or to see if you are being assessed, please call 651-266-8858 with the parcel ID/address listed in your letter. All property owners were mailed a notification letter with the hearing information and the estimated assessment details from the Office of Financial Services in May 2024. 

Public Hearing details

When: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

Where: City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor City Hall – Court House

  15 W Kellogg Blvd

  St. Paul, MN 55102

Information about testifying, including via telephone, is available on the Council’s website or on the Council’s agenda at www.stpaul.legistar.com.