Changes to striping at 42nd Street and Cedar Avenue intersection
County and city staff worked together to review how the Cedar Avenue (Country Road 152) and 42nd Street intersection is operating since constructing safety and accessibility improvements earlier this year. Through that analysis it was determined that the turn lanes could be shortened along Cedar Avenue north and south of 42nd Street, which restored approximately half of the parking spaces that were removed with the safety project. This change continues to support the safety benefits while maintaining as much on-street parking as possible.
Project locations
Hennepin County plans to make safety and access improvements at four intersections on 42nd Street (County Road 42). The four intersection locations are listed below along with images of the planned designs. Note the most recent Cedar Avenue layout north and south of 42nd Street features shorter left turn lanes.
Construction impacts
42nd Street and Cedar Avenue intersection
On June 2, after three weeks of closure, crews completed construction and fully reopened the 42nd and Cedar intersection a week earlier than anticipated.
Among the improvements made at the intersection:
- Left turn lanes for all directions of traffic
- New sidewalks
- New curb bump-outs to reduce crossing distance for people walking and rolling
- New traffic signals
- New storm sewers
Crews will remain in the area doing minor cleanup and striping work.
42nd Street intersections at 21st, 26th and Nokomis avenues
Crews have completed intersection improvements along 42nd Street at 21st, 26th, and Nokomis avenues in South Minneapolis. This work improved safety and accessibility for people who drive, walk, roll and bike.
Among the improvements to these intersections:
- Raised concrete medians to allow people walking, biking or rolling across 42nd Street to do so one lane of traffic at a time
- Pedestrian curb ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
Raised concrete medians at 21st and 26th avenues now extend fully across the intersection, which prevents automobile traffic from crossing 42nd Street, improving the safety of the intersection for all who use it. The raised concrete median at Nokomis Avenue do not extend through the intersection, allowing traffic to flow in all directions.
Connections to agency and county safety plans
The improvements also align with city and county safety plans, specifically:
- Hennepin County’s Americans with Disabilities Act transition, pedestrian, bicycle transportation and roadway safety plans
- City of Minneapolis’ Vision Zero Plan
- Northrop Elementary Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plan