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Description
The City of Saint Paul will reconstruct Earl Street between Maryland Avenue and Burns Avenue in 2026 and 2027. Phase 1 - Earl Street from Maryland Avenue to

Map showing the Earl Street project area

 Minnehaha Avenue will be constructed in 2026 and Phase 2 - Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue will be constructed in 2027.

This is a full reconstruction, meaning it will completely rebuild the road. It will include work on water and sewer, land grading, adding curbs and gutters, improving drainage, paving the street, installing signs and lights, landscaping, and improving the sidewalks and bikeway connections.

Project Goals:

  • Improve the pavement quality and repair the damaged street.
  • Create safer travel for people walking, rolling, biking, and driving along Earl Street.
  • Improve drainage and green storm-water treatments.
  • Preserve mature boulevard trees wherever possible.

Improvements to Earl Street:

  • Repaired two-lane street
  • Repaired sidewalk on both sides of the street
  • New bike facilities
  • New lighting
  • New signs and street striping
  • Improved sewer and water connections

Construction Information

  • The City Council will request bids and select a contractor in Spring 2026. The contractor will determine the order of work being done, whether it starts at the north end, the south, etc. The contractor is responsible for notifying property owners of any planned or unplanned impacts to property, including potential water shutoffs. 
  • You will always have access to your property. Detour information will be provided on the project website prior to construction.
  • General project questions can be directed to Project Manager, Don Pflaum.
  • For questions related to specific construction activities, reach out to the contractor. You will be given contact information once a contractor is selected.

Location
Phase 1 - Earl Street from Maryland Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue
Phase 2 - Earl Street from Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue

Timeline
The project is currently in the final design stage of Phase 1. Construction on Phase 1 will begin in Spring 2026 and continue through the rest of the year.

  • Summer 2025: Phase 1 Preliminary Design
    • Parking Study
    • Concept Design
    • Community Engagement
  • Summer 2025 - Winter 2025/26: Phase 1 Final Design
    • Roadway Design
    • Utility Coordination
    • Community Engagement
  • Spring 2026: Phase 1 Construction of Earl Street from Maryland Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue begins
  • Summer 2026: Phase 2 Design work begins. Final details have not yet been determined.
  • Spring 2027: Phase 2 Construction of Earl Street from Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue

Stay Engaged
Open houses were held throughout the duration of the project. To review the Engagement Materials presented at each event and summaries of what we heard, please visit the Project Documents section of this page.
 

Tags

    Tree Removals and Replacements 

    Tree removals and replacements are part of every street construction project as construction activities can be damaging to boulevard trees. The city works to minimize the construction impacts to trees. 

    Tree removals will be completed by April 14, 2026, due to endangered species habitat regulations. Trees to be removed will be marked in advance with paint, with a red X on the trunk. Additional trees may need to be removed during construction.  

    Public Works Street Design and Construction works with Forestry staff in the Parks and Recreation Department to determine tree removals and tree replacement. Trees could be removed for several reasons, including: 

    • Poor tree health or condition, including any pre-existing signs of decline and/or structural defects 

    • Proximity to the installation of curbs and/or sidewalk that impacts tree root systems and structural stability or health of the tree 

    • Underground utility work conflicts, including lead water service replacement, private sanitary sewer replacement, and/or sewer or water main repairs or installations 

    • Roadway regrading that conflicts with existing root systems of trees 

    The City of Saint Paul values trees and strives to maintain and preserve our urban canopy wherever possible. Tree replacement is a critical component of all city street construction projects.   

    The city will plant new trees once the street construction project is completed. New tree plantings include diverse species selections, providing a more resilient urban canopy across Saint Paul.

    Earl Street Reconstruction: Open House on 1/13

    Earl Street Open House 5 - Thank You!

    Thanks to those who joined us on January 13, 2026 for a hands-on community workshop to learn about the Earl Street Reconstruction project. If you were unable to attend this workshop, the engagement materials are attached below and in the Project Documents section of the webpage.

    Open House 5 Engagement Summary

    Earl Street Open House 5 Boards (in English, Hmong, and Karen)

    Earl Street Open House 5 Bike Lane Layout

    Public Hearing on January 28

    The City of Saint Paul held a public hearing for Phase 1 of the Earl Street reconstruction project during the City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

    Property owners, tenants, and others were invited to attend the hearing to provide comments. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can watch a recording of the public hearing from January 28. A sample notice mailing is included in the Project Documents section 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. 

    More information about special assessments, including how the special assessment is calculated, is available at stpaul.gov/specialassessments. 

    FAQs

    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.

    Project Documents