Central Avenue and University Avenue ADA Improvements

This project reconstructed pedestrian facilities and traffic signals along the Central Avenue (TH 65) and University Avenue (TH 47) corridors. Let as three independent construction projects, the overall design improved 21 intersections, spanned three construction seasons, and totaled $7.5 million in construction costs. Close coordination with multiple stakeholders was paramount to the project’s success, as the project was jointly funded by MnDOT and the City of Minneapolis, and impacted facilities owned by the Minneapolis Park Board, Metro Transit, Hennepin County, and private parties.

The project’s location along heavily traveled urban corridors provided little available Right-of-Way and often required adjacent to vertical constraints such as building faces, stairways, and entrances. To achieve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, Level 3 pedestrian ramps were designed utilizing significant curb line bump-outs to provide additional landing areas. Alliant staff worked closely with MnDOT and Minneapolis to optimize the traffic control and pedestrian routes used during construction. Much thought was given to minimize impacts to local business and traffic during construction while providing pedestrians with the shortest alternative route possible. When feasible, on-street temporary pedestrian access routes were utilized to avoid lengthy detours.