43rd St and Nicollet Ave S Traffic Safety Improvements
In 2017, Minneapolis Public Works installed interim safety improvements at the intersection of 43rd Street and Nicollet Avenue to shorten pedestrian crossings, encourage slower driving speeds, increase visibility of intersection users and improve intersection safety for all users. In 2021, Minneapolis Public Works plans to install permanent safety improvements at the intersection. This project presents an opportunity to evaluate modifications to the interim treatment and may include additional curb extensions, a pedestrian refuge median, lighting improvements and/or greening elements.
Project goals
The goals of this project include:
- Provide safer pedestrian crossing opportunities while enhancing comfort and predictability of all intersection users
- Encourage slower driving speeds
- Improve bicycle network connectivity
- Support access to transit, housing and commercial destinations
Project schedule
Fall-Winter 2020
Preliminary Planning, Design and Engagement
Winter-Spring 2021
Detailed Engineering and Design
Summer 2021
Anticipated Implementation
Existing conditions
Average number of daily users
- 340 pedestrians
- 80 bicyclists
- 1 High Frequency Metro Transit bus route (Route 18); 22 average daily boardings/alightings at 43rd and Nicollet
- 9,000 motor vehicles
Source: Minneapolis Bicycle & Pedestrian Counts at Nicollet north of 46th St (2016) and Minneapolis Public Works at Nicollet north of 46th St (2015), Metro Transit (2019).
Reported crashes
| Type of Crash | Pre-Treatment (2014-2016) | Post-Treatment (2017-2019)* |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 0 |
| Fatal or serious | 50% | 0% |
| Automobile | 10 | 6 |
| Fatal or serious | 0% | 0% |
| Total crashes | 12 | 6 |
| Crashes related to 43rd | 33% | 33% |
Source: CIty of MInneapolis Crash Data (2014), MnCMAT (2015-2019)
*The Department of Public Safety expanded the definition of “serious injury” for crash reports starting in 2016 to align with federal standards, which makes it impossible to directly compare data before and after 2016.
Traffic safety improvement examples
Center median with pedestrian refuge
Curb extension
Contacts
Kelsey Fogt, Project Planner, [email protected] or 612-790-7132
Nathan Kemmer, Project Engineer, [email protected]
Last updated Dec 1, 2020
