Tell MnDOT to make safety improvements on Snelling and Montreal Avenues - before August 5th

By Sustain Transportation Committee Co-Leader Kevin Gallatin

MnDOT is soliciting public feedback about Snelling and Montreal Avenues from Dayton Avenue to Hwy 5/West Seventh St. in St. Paul in advance of a planned resurfacing project scheduled for 2030 and 2031. Complete this survey and use this comment mapby August 5th to advocate for safety improvements for people who walk, roll, bike, and take transit across and along these streets!

The portion of Montreal Avenue that is in scope is a designated bikeway with painted on-street lanes. It is a very challenging hill to bike but it is a vital connection as it is the only bikeway up the Highland bluff between Randolph Avenue and Edgcumbe Road/Fairview. The city also extends temporary permits for cars to park in the bike lanes during Circus Juventus events. This project is an excellent opportunity to convert the bike way to a permanent off-street trail.

The Snelling portion that is in scope has had some improvements including a half mile between Montreal and Ford Parkway of off-street trail and center medians that support safer pedestrian crossing. Center medians have also been installed between Ford Parkway and Randolph, and again from St. Clair Avenue and Grand Avenue. Outside of those areas Snelling Avenue remains a high speed 4-lane road that carries an unusually high number of trucks due to the 35E prohibition of trucks. It also carries the A Line BRT. This is a good opportunity to consider lane reconfiguration to include some combination of center turn lanes and/or dedicated bus/bike lanes.

As a state trunk highway Snelling Avenue will inevitably be a busy road with portions exceeding 50,000 vehicles per day. It's time for MnDOT to consider adjusting the configuration to better suit the urban community it serves.

You can also give in-person feedback at public meetings on July 22nd and 29th. More information here.