U of M Protected Bikeways

In 2019, Minneapolis Public Works installed 2.6 miles of protected bikeways connecting the University of Minnesota and the surrounding neighborhoods of Como, Marcy Holmes, and Cedar Riverside.

Between 400 and 4,000 people currently bike along this corridor each day, making it the highest demand area for bicycling in the city. This project aimed to improve many existing bike lanes and complete important gaps in city’s bikeway network.

Project status and overview

Project is complete.

Project limits

18th Avenue SE: E Hennepin Avenue to Como Avenue SE
Rollins Avenue SE: 15th Avenue SE to 18th Avenue SE
15th Avenue SE: Rollins Avenue SE to University Avenue SE
10th Avenue SE/19th Avenue S: Riverside Avenue S to 5th Street SE
4th Street: 19th Avenue S to 20th Avenue S
20th Avenue S: 4th Street S to Minnehaha Avenue S

Design

What is a protected bikeway?

Not everyone feels comfortable and safe riding on a busy street, even with a regular bike lane. A protected bikeway creates a more comfortable space to ride that is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. A separated bikeway can attract more types of riders and the City sees protected bikeways as an important tool to increase bicycling in Minneapolis.

Most of this project was proposed to include a protected bikeway design with short segments of bike boulevard, trail, and conventional bike lanes.

Project goals

Enhance safety and predictability for all users
Support active transportation options around the U of M
Improve existing bicycle connections to better accommodate existing bicycle demand and encourage more bicycle use
Complete the NE Diagonal Trail/18th Avenue SE bikeway gap

Parking changes

To install a dedicated bikeway, existing on-street parking was removed on three blocks in the Como neighborhood:

East and west side of 18th Ave SE (E Hennepin Ave to Como Ave SE)
North side of Rollins Ave SE (15th Ave SE to 17th Ave SE)

Public Works gathered feedback on the proposed changes.

Project documents

Project Fact Sheet - Updated 1/4/18

Presentation to SECIA - Updated 12/20/17

Presentation to SECIA - Updated 4/20/17

Council Approved Layout - South Segment (10th Ave SE, 19th Ave S, 4th St S, 20th Ave S) - Updated 2/13/18

Council Approved Layout - North Segment (15th Ave SE, Rollins Ave SE, 18th Ave SE) - Updated 2/13/18

Project updates

Week of August 26, 2019

Work this week

Pavement marking and Striping at different location throughout the project

Work expected next week

Installing bike delineator post at various locations of the project
Wrapping up pavement marking and Striping on various locations of the project

Work in progress

Week of August 19, 2019

Work in the past two weeks

Over the last two weeks, we have completed the following work:

Upgrading signal systems
Restorations at various locations
Excess seal coating chips materials swept
pavement marking removal throughout the project locations

Work expected this week (week of August 19)

Pavement marking and Striping on various locations of the project
Project wrapping up

Work in progress

Week of August 5, 2019

Work in the past two weeks

For the last two weeks we have been focused on the following three locations/intersections:

Various locations for signal system upgrade
Seal coating on, 20th Ave, 10th Ave, and 15th Ave

Work completed

July 31st seal coating done on 20th Ave S, 10th Ave SE between (University Ave SE & 8th ST SE), and 15th Ave SE between (University Ave SE & 6th St SE)
Signal systems work carried out throughout the entire project
Temp signal system up and running at 10th Ave SE & University Ave SE
All concrete work completed on this project as of the 2nd of August

Work expected this week (week of August 5)

Upgrading signal systems by will continue.
Restorations at various locations
Signing and striping work planned to start next week
Excess seal coating materials to be swept on the 5th of August

Work in progress

Sealcoating at the corner of 10th Ave SE and University Ave SE

Concrete poured at the northeast corner of 10th Ave SE and University Ave SE

Last piece of sidewalk poured at the southwest corner of 10th Ave SE and University Ave SE

Week of July 29, 2019

Work in the past two weeks

For the last two weeks we have been focused on the following three locations/intersections.

10th Ave S and University
15th Ave S (between University Ave and 4th ), and
Rollins Ave and 17th Ave S the Cut-through

Work Completed

North bound and south bound bike lanes paved
15th Ave construction completed and open to traffic
17th & Rollins Ave restored with topsoil awaiting sod
Pavement marking removal started
Temporary traffic signal system installed by city forces at 10th Ave & University Ave
Curb & gutter at the NE corner of 10th Ave and University Ave poured
Minor concrete rework completed at S Washington Ave & 19th Ave
Rollins Ave & 17th Ave SE sidewalks poured

Work expected this week (week of July 29)

Upgrading signal systems by will continue.
NE corner of 10th and University sidewalk will be installed
Seal coating operations to begin July 31st, followed by sweeping excess material of the road by August 5th.
Stripping planned for the 7th of August for the overall project

Work in progress

Pavement marking were removed at various locations.

Curb and gutter poured at the northeast corner of 10th Ave and University Ave

Concrete poured at the southeast corner of 10th Ave and University Ave

North- and southbound bike lanes completed at 15th Ave SE and University Ave; traffic control removed

Week of July 22, 2019

Work completed in the last two weeks (weeks of July 8 & 15)

For the last two weeks we have been focused on the following three locations/intersections:

10th Ave S and University
15th Ave S (between University Ave and 4th), and
Rollins Ave and 17th Ave S the Cut-through

Work completed

Removals carried out at 15th Ave SE west side
15th Ave SE between University and 4th St protected bikeways installed.
17th Ave SE & Rollins Ave bike path paved
Bit patching and restorations carried out at Rollins and 10th Ave
Electrical work carried out at 10th Ave SE corner, and signal pole base poured.
Video detection systems installed at 20th and Riverside, 19th and Riverside, and working on 19th and Washington.
Ped ramp and sidewalk at the SE corner of 10th Ave SE poured.

Work expected this week (week of July 22)

Upgrading signal systems by will continue.
NE corner of 10th and University sidewalk will be installed
Some minor concrete correction works and restoration will start. I would say 95% of the concrete work completed.
Signing and striping work will start

Work in progress

Cut-through at Rollins and 17th St SE

Northbound protected bikeways on 15th Ave SE between University Ave and 4th St SE

Southbound protected bikeways ready to be installed on 15th Ave SE between University Ave and 4th St SE

Week of July 8, 2019

Work completed last week (week of July 1)

Saw cut on 10th Ave S and University Ave SE intersection
Saw cut at 15th Ave SE and University
Saw cut at Rollins Ave and 17th Ave SE intersection

Work expected this week (week of July 8)

Removal will start at:
- 10th Ave S and University Ave SE (SE & NE corners)
- 15th Ave SE between University Ave SE and 4th St SE
- Rollins Ave and 17th Ave Se intersection (the cut - through)
Once removal completed, installation will start from 10th Ave S and University Ave intersection.

Week of July 1, 2019

Work completed last week (week of June 24)

Pavement marking and temporary striping on 19th Ave S between 3rd St S and 4th St S
Pavement marking and temporary striping on 20th Ave S /approximately 400 ft from Cedar Ave to the beginning of the bridge over 94.
Bituminous patching around the newly constructed pavement and curbs & gutters.
At the three location the road is wide open for through traffic.

Work expected this week (week of July 1)

Saw cutting on 10th Ave S and University Ave SE intersection
Saw cutting at 15th Ave SE and University
Saw cutting at Rollins Ave and 17th Ave SE intersection
Removal will start the week of July 8th

Work in progress

Bikeway on 19th Ave S near 4th St S

Bikeway on 19th Ave S near 2nd St S

Bikeway on 20th Ave S near Cedar and Franklin Ave

Week of June 24, 2019

Work completed last week (week of June 17)

On 19th Ave S near 4th St S; 19th Ave S near 2nd St S; and 20th Ave S near Cedar Ave:

Installation of protected bikeways completed
Curb and gutter installation completed
Sidewalk installation completed
Bus stop lane/ Bus pad on 19th Ave S near 2nd S installed
Bus stop lane/ Bus pad on 19th Ave S near 4th St S installed

Work expected this week (week of June 24)

Passengers platform at the bus stop on 19th near 4th St S
Passengers platform at the bus stop on 19th Ave S near 2nd St S will be installed
Road way bituminous patch to match the existing
Remove pavement marking and striping at the three locations
Temporary pavement marking and striping will be install till mill and over lay work done at the three locations.