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Description
The city will make pedestrian intersection improvements on Payne Avenue to make intersections more accessible for pedestrians. This includes the construction of updated pedestrian ramps, bumpouts (curb extensions), and pedestrian medians. 

Location
Intersections on Payne Avenue include Rose Avenue, Geranium Avenue, Jessamine Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Cook Avenue, Lawson Avenue, Jenks Avenue, Case Avenue, Sims Avenue, York Avenue, and Whitall Street.

Timeline
2026 - 2027

Tags

MnDOT’s East 7th Street Project Weekend Closures – September 11-14

Payne Avenue closed between Rose Avenue and Jessamine Avenue

This Week (September 7 - 11)

  • Contractor installed and poured new catch basin structures at intersections of Rose Avenue, Geranium Avenue, and Jessamine Avenue.

Next Week (September 14 - 18)

  • Contractor plans to backfill over structures and prepare corners for ADA pedestrian ramp concrete work the week of September 21.

Detours & Business Access (see map below)

  • Payne Avenue is close from Rose Avenue to Jessamine Avenue. 
  • For business access, people will be asked to park on a nearby street outside of road closed section and walk to corresponding businesses.
  • Pedestrian access routes are directing people over to the east sidewalk and continues to direct pedestrians around areas of work.
  • New "Exit" with an arrow sign has been placed at the south entrance pointing vehicles to exit over at the north driveway. Additional signs have been added on all side streets leading up to intersections Rose Avenue, Geranium Avenue and Jessamine Avenue saying “LOCAL BUSINESS ACCESS” to help people know they can park on side streets to get to local businesses.
  • Metro Transit bus route 64 will be detoured to Greenbrier Street. For more detailed information see Metro Transit's webpage.
  • Printable Flyer with Business Access & Detour Map

Construction schedules are tentative, weather permitting, and subject to change.

Map showing the Payne Avenue phases with Phase 1 from Maryland to Case and Phase 2 from Case to Phalen

Detours & Business Access (see map below)

  • Payne Avenue is close from Rose Avenue to Magnolia Avenue.
    • Detour route is Case Avenue to Arcade Street to Maryland Avenue. Bicyclists are detoured to Greenbrier Street.
    • Magnolia Avenue is open across Payne Avenue.
    • Payne Avenue is open to local traffic and business access from Case Avenue to Magnolia Avenue.
  • Access to businesses on Payne Avenue between Maryland Avenue and Magnolia Avenue will be from side streets from Edgerton and Greenbrier streets.
    • For business access, please park on a nearby street outside of the road closed section of Payne Avenue and walk to the business.
  • Pedestrian access will be maintained on Payne Avenue.
    • Pedestrian access routes are directing people from sidewalk onto street and around, back to desired pathway.
    • Please follow all posted signs.
  • Metro Transit bus route 64 will be detoured to Greenbrier Street. For more detailed information see Metro Transit's webpage.

Printable Flyer with Business Access & Detour Map

Map showing detour and business access for Payne Avenue construction.

Access Map for the East Side of Saint Paul during 2026 Construction

Printable East Side Access Map during Construction

Map showing road closures and lane restrictions on the East Side of Saint Paul August 24, 2026

Construction schedules are tentative, weather permitting, and subject to change.

Business Office Hours

This is an opportunity for businesses to ask questions and to discuss any concerns they have with the project team.

Thursday, September 24
2:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Caydence Records & Coffee
900 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130

Project Map and Intersection Designs

Based on community feedback and technical analysis, the City of Saint Paul is recommending bumpouts, half medians, and full medians along Payne Avenue. 

  • Half Medians at Rose Avenue and Whitall Street
    • Half Medians or Pedestrian Refuse Islands give people walking or biking a place to wait when crossing and allow pedestrians to look for gaps in one direction of traffic at a time. Parking along Payne Avenue at the intersection will be reduced. 
  • Full Medians at Jessamine Avenue, Lawson Avenue and York Avenue
    • Full Medians remove left turns and straight movements at the intersection which reduce serious injury crashes. Vehicles can only take right turns at the intersection. Full Medians also allow people walking or biking a place to wait when crossing and allow pedestrians to look for gaps in one direction of traffic at a time. Parking along Payne Avenue at intersections will be reduced. 
  • Bumpouts at Sims Avenue, Case Avenue, Jenks Avenue, Cook Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, and Geranium Avenue
    • Bumpouts or curb extensions improve sightlines for vehicles and pedestrians, shorten crossing distances and can slow turning vehicle speeds by narrowing the roadway. They fill the space where parking is legally prohibited at intersections. 

Printable Intersection Design Map

Intersection designs including bumpouts, half medians, and full medians for 11 intersections on Payne Avenue between Phalen Boulevard and Maryland Avenue

Project Updates

Nearby Construction Projects

Earl Street Reconstruction
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 Minnehaha Avenue will be constructed in 2026 and Phase 2 - Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue will be constructed in 2027.
Earl Street Reconstruction | Saint Paul Minnesota

MnDOT East 7th Street and Arcade Street Construction
MnDOT crews will remove and replace existing sidewalks, roadway surfaces, traffic signals, and bus stops throughout the project area. Utility work (water, electrical, gas, etc.) will occur intermittently throughout all parts of the project area, not just where road construction is happening.
East 7th St. and Arcade St. in St. Paul and Maplewood project - MnDOT

SPRWS Lead Service Line Replacement: Edgerton Street, Payne Avenue, and Nearby Residential Streets
Saint Paul Regional Water Services will be replacing lead service lines located along Edgerton Avenue, Payne Avenue, and nearby residential streets. Visit the SPRWS project map for additional location information: SPRWS Project Map
Payne Phalen Lead Replacement - SPRWS

Ramsey County Construction Projects
Ramsey County is working to reconstruct Maryland Avenue from Clark to Edgerton Street. The project entails the replacement of the existing pavement, enhancements to drainage systems, and the upgrading of pedestrian facilities. 
Maryland Avenue Reconstruction | Ramsey County, Minnesota

Ramsey County will resurface (mill & overlay) Edgerton Street in 2026 as part of their county-wide street maintenance work. 
Road Resurfacing | Ramsey County, Minnesota

Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS): Lead Service Line Replacement 

SPRWS contactor is currently working on Payne Avenue to do pre-construction inspections. Construction is anticipated to start on Monday, April 20. Anticipate road closures and follow all posted signs.

SPRWS is replacing lead water service lines in the Payne/Phalen area at no cost to property owners.

SPRWS is contacting residents directly to coordinate lead service line replacement. In order to complete this work, staff need access to the inside of the property.

For questions about lead service line replacement, contact SPRWS Brent Marsolek at 651-266-6810 or brent.marsolek@ci.stpaul.mn.us 

More information about lead service line replacement is available at on the Lead Free webpage and by calling our hotline at 651-266-2820

More information about the lead service line work in the Payne Phalen area is available on the SPRWS Payne Phalen Lead Replacement webpage.

Project Documents