42nd Street connects neighborhoods to several educational centers such as Jardin Spanish Academy, El Colegio Charter School, Roosevelt Senior High School, and Northrop Elementary School, with students walking and biking along the corridor as encouraged by Safe Routes to School Programs. 

The county, in coordination with Minneapolis, is leading the safety project, which was awarded federal funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, to replace the traffic signal system, upgrade pedestrian ramps, and install accessible pedestrian signals on 42nd Street at Cedar Avenue and upgrade pedestrian ramps at 21st, 26th, and Nokomis avenues. Intersection improvements may also include curb extensions, raised medians, trail/sidewalk, turn lanes, and drainage.

The project team began engaging with the community and local partners in 2019 to understand current and future needs along the corridor. Last summer the team held a virtual open house and hosted a survey to gather additional feedback to inform the design. County staff will continue to engage with the community as we approach construction in 2023.

Proposed Agreement PW 11-20-22 with Minneapolis specifies the county is responsible for design and construction. The city will pay $181,869 for its share of project costs ($150,583 for construction and $31,286 for engineering to be received into the Public Works Transportation Project Delivery Operating Budget). The city will provide and install signal equipment at an estimated county cost of $37,500.

After project completion, the county will own the signal system and the city will maintain the improvements consistent with the current county/city road maintenance agreement.

Current Request: This request seeks authorization to negotiate and execute Agreement PW 11-20-22 with Minneapolis for cost participation and maintenance responsibilities for the safety improvements on 42nd Street at Cedar, 21st, 26th, and Nokomis avenues, CP 2191800, at a receivable of $181,869.

Impacts/Outcomes: This action supports the county’s disparity reduction and climate action efforts by improving mobility and safety for people taking transit, walking, biking, and driving along the corridor. This is especially important as the project is in an area with a high percentage of no-vehicle households and people with limited mobility.