urbanMSP

Intersection of 44th Avenue N, Osseo Road and Penn Avenue N closing for major pedestrian improvements

Beginning Monday, Sept. 8, the intersection of 44th Avenue North, Osseo Road and Penn Avenue North will close to traffic for approximately three weeks so major pedestrian improvements can be made to the area.

During the intersection closure, traffic to 44th Avenue North will be detoured the following way:

Southbound Osseo Road traffic will be detoured to eastbound 49th Avenue North, to southbound Humboldt Avenue North.
Northbound Penn Avenue traffic will be detoured to eastbound 42nd Avenue North, to Fremont Avenue North. Weather permitting, northbound Penn Avenue traffic will be allowed to continue to 44th Avenue around Monday, Sept. 22.
Detour routes will be posted on temporary signs throughout construction.

This work will improve pedestrian crossings and traffic flow at the intersection, including:

The addition of a median along Osseo Road just west of Penn Ave. The island will make it possible to add an additional Osseo Road pedestrian crossing.
Reconstruction of pedestrian ramps at all corners of the intersection.
The addition of bump-outs of corners, which will shorten street crossings and create more pedestrian space.
The addition of street lights to improve lighting for pedestrians.
More visible, block-style crosswalk markings.
The addition of a bike lane along Osseo Road.
Because of the changes to this intersection, the traffic signal at Penn Avenue is being reconstructed as well. The new traffic signal will have overhead mast arms for all approaches and also include countdown timers for the crosswalks.

More murky Brian Rice shenanigans.

Neat piece on the rehab of the old North Branch Library building:
http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 57341.html

It would be amazing to see all the old commercial spaces in the area get this kind of treatment.