urbanMSP

I never advise anyone to drive.

Speaking as someone who uses the route a lot, significantly increasing vehicle traffic at the Hiawatha Trail intersection would be super, super shitty. And probably dangerous.

So I'm confused. Isn't there a pedestrian and bicycle connection that is far easier to get to and literally runs parallel to this crossing with its terminouses less than a block away on both ends? Why would we spend a bunch of mondy being that redundant? Just some vanity projects with trees being a dollar store version of pdx? I cant think of any good reason this shouldnt have auto traffic on it. Its not easy to get to so it's. Not about to become some busy street, but it will amply serve two under connected neighborhoods.

I actually prefer the idea of an automobile connection too (though I love a reason to troll MNdible). But the automobile option we've seen has wide lanes and would encourage fast traffic over the bridge. Back to the drawing board, for a connection that is people first but accommodates cars. 20 MPH design speed.

I do agree that the Hiawatha Trail crossing at the end of 15th Ave would be a concern. Any way they could reconfigure the road behind the OMF to connect this all the way down to Franklin? Or bridge over the Blue Line and the trail just north of the I-94 bridges, and connect right into Cedar and 7th at Triple Rock.

(though I love a reason to troll MNdible)

Best Frenemies Forever.

As predicted, hand-wringing best intentions have prevailed over common sense. Preferred option is up for council approval [PDF].

Sigh. I did not anticipate ever writing emails to council members arguing for more vehicle lanes. But I guess I will tonight.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gian-lorenzo/37812327134/

It looks like in this photo that it is already possible for pedestrians to cross over the old 5th St. exit. Is that correct? I haven't been over there to check it out myself. Just curious if it is accessible at the moment or not.

Also, for titling purposes, isn't it a bridge over 35W, not 94?

It certainly is. Wonder how I missed that all this time.

It's not officially open, the barricades were still up this morning. But people have been knocking them over the fence and squeezing through gaps. Last I knew they were putting up the lights and fencing between the paths and the highway. I bike past this every day and have been patiently waiting for it to officially open.

Thanks for that info! From the photo I couldn't see any fencing or barricades so I thought maybe it was already being used by bicyclers and pedestrians "unofficially"

Well, it is being used, you just cant use it without walking your bike or giving it a hoist, unless they've taken down the barricades today. (I've wonder is this space will be used for the Super Bowl? )

This is now open more officially. Go give it a look. Still lacking a little bit of the landscaping and some art according to the news