Hiawatha Avenue (TH 55) Pedestrian/Bike Crossing Experience & Safety 

Improvements Analysis

Background• Stonebrooke Engineering was hired by Hennepin County to evaluate pedestrian/bicycle crossing experience concerns at (3) key intersections along Hiawatha Avenue from E 32nd Street to E 46th Street

• Historical review of area improvements/analysis undertaken

• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) formed to evaluate viability of identified improvement options– Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, Mn/DOT, Metro Transit

• TAC/Resident concern noted• Potential feasible improvement projects identified

Key Project Issues

• Address pedestrian/bicycle crossing safety issues• Improve traffic signal timing• Decrease pedestrian crossing distances• Provide appropriately sized pedestrian refuge locations

• Incorporate improvements into greater area rehabilitation efforts

• Improved accessibility

32nd Street Project Issues

32nd Street – Possible Improvement Areas

32nd Street – Improvements Rendering

38th Street Project Issues

38th Street Possible Improvement Areas

38th Street Improvements Rendering

46th Street Project Issues

46th Street Possible Improvement Areas

46th Street Improvements Rendering

45th/46th Street Project Issues

44th to 46th Street Improvement Options

• Pedestrian bridge/skyway‐ High cost ($2M+ expected)‐ Access ramp length (ADA requirements)‐ Unknown tie‐in locations (bridge)‐ Maintenance costs

• Pedestrian Tunnel‐ High cost‐ Not feasible (water table level)‐ Eliminates vehicle to pedestrian/bicycle interaction ‐ Maintenance costs

44th to 46th Street Improvement Options

• Pedestrian signal at 45th Street with median barrier from 44thStreet to 46th Street‐ Medium cost‐ Potential for low compliance by pedestrians and vehicles‐ Signal timing challenges (progression)‐ Maintenance  costs

• Median barrier from 44th to 46th Street with no access points‐ Medium cost‐ Limits mobility‐ Funnels pedestrian/bicycles to traffic controlled intersection‐ Maintenance  costs

44th to 46th Street Improvement Options

• T‐intersection at 44th/45th Street with full traffic signal‐ Low probability to meet traffic signal warrants‐ High cost ‐ Challenging signal timing (progression)‐ Access management/safety concern

• Do nothing option

‐ Low cost‐ Allow current mobility patterns

Next Steps

• Continue to explore 44thto 46th Street improvement options

• Public involvement• Develop implementation and design plan specifics and timelines

• Preliminary Design with engineered cost estimate(s)

• Design and Implementation