The RiverLake Greenway is Opening! Saturday, June 11, 2011, 1-5 pm. Join us at 40th & 1st Ave. 3-4 pm for bike decorating and obstacle course. Click here for details
Community Open House Sept 22 – Construction to start late Sept/early Oct
The RiverLake Greenway is a bicycle boulevard/bicycle project from Lake Harriet to the Mississippi River, running primarily along 40th Street. The project was initiated in 1997 by residents, has involved dozens of community meetings, and has been approved by all area neighborhood associations.
Construction will start in late September/early October.  You can view detailed project layout information at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cip/riverlake/
What’s the same? Traffic along 40th Street will remain 2-way and parking is allowed on both sides of the street. All local access to driveways, alleys, and streets is preserved.
What’s new? Traffic calming measures like medians and bump-outs will help make 40th Street a preferred route for bicyclists and pedestrians – allowing local access but discouraging traffic from using 40th Street as a destination route or cut-through street. Share-the-road lane markings for bicycles and many newly planted trees are also featured on 40th Street.
Local changes include:
- Portland and Park Bumpouts at 40th St: Curb bump-outs reduce the distance for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross a street, also increasing visibility and safe crossing for these travelers. Bump-outs will also provide additional green space. Bump-outs will be constructed at all 4 corners of Portland/40th and Park/40th.
- Chicago Median: A median will be constructed at the intersection of Chicago and 40th Street, with space for bicycles and pedestrians to pass through. East and west-bound traffic on 40th Street will be required to turn right on Chicago Ave – traffic is prevented by the median from crossing Chicago at 40th St.
- 12th Ave Diverter: The 12th Ave Diverter will prevent traffic from traveling straight on 40th Street, but allow bicycles and pedestrians to pass through. East and west-bound traffic on 40th St will be required to turn right on 12th Ave. The diverter will provide green space as well. Discussions are occurring now with neighbors to determine if the diverter will remain part of the RiveLake Greenway project.
- Bumpouts at Bloomington and 40th St: Bump-outs will be constructed at the NW and SW corners of Bloomington and 40th Street, to reduce the distance for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the street and increase visibility and green space. Bus stops will be moved to the corners opposite the bump-outs and new concrete bus pads constructed.
- Cedar Ave/40th Street: Signage and the addition of medians on 40th Street will prevent Cedar Ave traffic from turning onto 40th Street. In addition, east and west-bound traffic on 40th Street will be able to make right turns only onto Cedar. Vehicle traffic will not be able to cross Cedar at 40th St and cannot make left turns onto Cedar from 40th St. These changes will enhance safety for bicycles and pedestrians at this difficult intersection – unlike cars, bicycles and pedestrians will be allowed to cross Cedar on 40th St.
Questions may be directed to: