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Description
Saint Paul Public Works Sewer Utility will be continuing work to repair West 7th Street sanitary tunnel infrastructure from Walnut Street to Kellogg Boulevard in 2026. The work will include constructing a new sanitary tunnel shaft, replacing an existing sanitary tunnel shaft, and completing tunnel repairs.

Location

  • West 7th Street from Chestnut Street to Kellogg Boulevard (Phase 1)
  • West 7th Street at Walnut Street (Phase 2)

Timeline
June to mid-October 2026

Tags

    Sewer Tunnel Construction Schedule, Traffic Impacts, and Business Access starting in June

    Construction Schedule

    Phase 1 on West 7th Street from Chestnut Street to Kellogg Boulevard is scheduled to begin in early June. Phase 2 on West 7th Street at Walnut Street is scheduled to start after Phase 1 is completed. 

    Construction will occur Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Weekend work or evening hours may be approved if needed. 

    Traffic impacts and Business Access

    West 7th Street will remain open with one lane in each direction during the city’s sewer work. Parking and temporary traffic restrictions will be in place in the construction area. Sidewalks along West 7th Street will remain open. Walnut Street and Chestnut Street intersections at West 7th Street will be closed at times during the sewer tunnel work. See included maps for Phase 1 and Phase 2 closures and lane restrictions.

    Access to businesses and parking lots will be maintained. See included maps for access routes.

    Phase 1 Map - West 7th Street from Chestnut Street to Kellogg Boulevard

    Printable Phase 1 Map

    Map showing sewer construction area on West 7th from Walnut to Kellogg

    Phase 2 Map - West 7th Street at Walnut Street

    Printable Phase 2 Map

    Map showing sewer construction area on West 7th at Walnut

    Xcel Energy Work at Chestnut and West 7th Happening Now

    Unrelated to the sewer tunnel work, Xcel Energy will be installing electric facilities within the West 7th Street and Chestnut Street intersection beginning the week of April 6, 2026. Xcel’s work is expected to go through May and must be completed before sewer work starts. 

    Construction will begin on Chestnut Street the east side of West 7th Street and move west. One lane of traffic on West 7th Street will remain open in each direction during construction. Once work progresses far enough west of West 7th Street, the roadway will fully reopen while construction continues on Chestnut Street.

    Printable flyer about Xcel Energy's Work at Chestnut and West 7th

    More information about Xcel Energy's Downtown Saint Paul Infrastructure Upgrade work

    Questions or business-specific concerns?
    Visit xcelenergy.com or contact elisa.rasmussen@xcelenergy.com

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

    Area closures and restrictions in Downtown Saint Paul, May 4, 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.

    For a map of the road closures and restrictions as of May 4, see below and online for a larger and printable map.

    • 5th Street: Lane restrictions between Wabasha and Cedar streets for Osborn Plaza.
    • West 7th Street: Lane restrictions between Walnut Street and Kellogg Boulevard on West 7th for Xcel Energy work.
    • East 7th Street: Lane restrictions between Mounds Boulevard and Arcade Street on East 7th for MnDOT work.
    • 9th Street: Closed between Minnesota and Robert streets.
    • Eagle Parkway:
      • One lane in each direction between Shepard Road and Kellogg Boulevard will be maintained for Xcel Energy work under the railroad at Shepard Road.
      • Expect delays and backups in the area during rush hour and events.
      • This is not a truck route due to tight turns.
    • Chestnut Street: Closed at West 7th Street for Xcel Energy 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 Wabasha Street and Washington Street. Eastbound only between Wabasha Street and Washington Street
      • 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.
    • Robert Street:
      • Northbound Robert Street closed between Kellogg Boulevard and 4th Street for Metro Transit light rail track work May 1-3.
      • Closed between 12th and 14th streets for District Energy work.
      • Lane restrictions between Kellogg Boulevard and 9th Street as needed for sidewalk work and final reconstruction work.
    • Shepard Road:
      • Eastbound will remain open from I-35E to Highway 61.
      • Eastbound Shepard traffic can access downtown from Eagle Parkway and Sibley Street, except no trucks due to tight turns and bridge height.
      • Westbound Shepard traffic can access downtown from Sibley Street, except no trucks due to bridge height.
      • No access from Shepard Road to I-35E southbound.
      • 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.
      • Westbound Shepard closed between Eagle Parkway and Sibley Street.
      • Shepard Road closed to thru traffic at I-35E for MnDOT bridge reconstruction.
    • Wacouta Street: Lane restrictions between 5th and 6th streets for Xcel Energy work.

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

    Downtown Construction & Access Map starting Monday, May 4, 2026 (larger and printable map)

    Map showing road closures and lane restrictions in downtown Saint Paul due to construction as of May 4, 2026. For more information call 651-266-6100