Coronavirus: Minneapolis To Add More 'Stay Healthy Streets'

MINNEAPOLIS — The city of Minneapolis is making additional updates to the public right-of-way in response to the new coronavirus crisis, including adding more space for active recreation on streets and reducing the need for pedestrian push buttons at intersections.

Starting April 29, the city will implement 11 miles of "Stay Healthy Streets" routes to support more space for walking, biking and rolling while social distancing. Three separate loop routes will mostly follow local residential streets. These local streets will generally be closed to thru traffic and calmed to allow for people to safely walk, bike or roll in the street.

Car access for residents will be retained.

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A new loop along the Mississippi River has opened up space for active recreation. The southbound lane of East River Parkway in Minneapolis and Mississippi River Boulevard in Saint Paul has been opened to walking, biking, and rolling from Fulton Street Southeast to Ford Parkway. This is in addition to expanded walking space in the northbound lane of West River Parkway. Working with Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul will create additional space on bridges to complete a connected six and 10-mile loops.

The city said it will continue to monitor and adjust street installations.

Pedestrian push buttons

The city has transitioned traffic signals to reduce the need for pedestrians to push the button at more than 400 signalized intersections. Crews are placing signs on the signal post notifying people that the signal will change automatically. For blind and visually impaired people, the button will still be operational in order to call the audible features.

Pick-up only permits

The city’s Public Works Department has issued permits for and installed more than 50 pick-up only zones for businesses. The pick-up zones allow parking for up to 10 minutes for people picking up take-out food or other items.

New speed limit signs

In addition to the changes in response to the pandemic, the city continues to roll out new speed limits signs citywide. The cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul announced lower speed limits to support safer streets March 12.

New speed limits are 20 mph for local residential streets; 25 mph for larger, arterial city-owned streets; and 30-plus mph for a few city-owned streets. Per Minnesota law, cities do not have the authority to change speed limits on county and MnDOT roads.

The 25 mph speed limit on individual streets will go into effect as soon as they are signed. Once the busier streets are signed, the cities will then install “gateway signs” at entry points in both cities, indicating the citywide speed limit is 20 mph unless otherwise posted. The 20 mph speed limit goes in to effect as soon as the gateway signs are installed. The cities expect the sign installation to be completed by this fall.

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