Lake Street Construction update

Construction work continues on schedule for both the middle and eastern segments of Lake Street (Hennepin County State Aid Highway 3) in South Minneapolis as part of the first major reconstruction of the east-west corridor in 50 years, according to the Hennepin County Transportation Department, the project’s lead agency.
Middle segment, 21st Avenue to 14th Avenue

Good news for motorists: The county plans to open Lake Street to four lanes of traffic between 21st Avenue and Cedar Avenue during the week of Sept. 4. Sidewalk placement has been completed in this stretch of Lake Street.
The contractor has placed the bituminous base on Lake Street from Cedar Avenue west to 14th Avenue. The majority of the curb and gutter has been installed in this area.

Work has begun to place decorative concrete icons in the sidewalk, and electrical work continues for both the lighting and traffic signals.

East segment, Hiawatha Avenue to 36th Avenue

The county plans to shift traffic from the south side to the north side of Lake Street from 31st Avenue to 34th Avenue during the week of Sept. 4. The contractor has placed two layers of bituminous base on Lake Street from 27th Avenue to 31st Avenue, and has completed curb and gutter installation and the first layer of bituminous from 31st Avenue to 34th Avenue.

The contractor plans to put down the first layer of bituminous base from 34th Avenue to 37th Avenue the week of Sept. 4. Electrical and traffic-signal work continues. Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis transportation officials emphasize that at least one lane of traffic remains open in each direction on Lake Street at all times. Motorists should expect delays.

Metro Transit buses that normally operate on the middle and east portions of Lake Street have been rerouted one block south to 31st Street during construction. Lake Street businesses are open during construction, and the Lake Street Council encourages increased customer support of area businesses during construction. For more info, contact Don Shaffer, Hennepin County Transportation Department project engineer, at 612-596-0416 or 612-282-5538 (cell).