|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As early as March 1, construction will begin on University Avenue from Hamline to Robert. Expect one through lane of traffic in each direction in areas with work, except from Rice to Robert, where there will be a full road closure after the regular legislative session. Alternate vehicle access to buildings and parking will be provided as well as temporary sidewalks and pedestrian ramps to doorways.
By the end of the year, LRT tracks will connect St. Paul to Minneapolis and stations' structural elements will be complete. New pavement, sidewalks with pavers, curbs and gutters, lighting and trees will be in place.
|
|
What to Expect from 2012 Construction
University Avenue: Hamline to Rice
University Avenue: Rice to Robert
Order of Work:
1. Install traffic control measures including barricades, signage, temporary traffic signalization and temporary accesses. Left turns across University will be restricted to 8 signalized crossings: Hamline, Lexington, Victoria, Dale, Western, Marion, Rice, and Robert.
2. Install pedestrian-only traffic signalized crossings at Griggs, Chatsworth, Grotto, and Mackubin.
3. Remove the street surface (on one side of the street at a time), sidewalks, curbs, gutters, median, trees and other vegetation. At least four feet of sidewalk width will be maintained, except for short periods when the new sidewalk is being constructed.
4. Relocate public and private utilities, such as water, storm, and sanitary sewers and electrical and phone lines.
5. Excavate for the track, guideway, and stations; station foundation work.
6. Reinstall curbs, gutters, medians and trees.
7. Pave street with asphalt; place concrete for intersections and crosswalks.
8. Construct new sidewalks; contractor is required to provide alternate pedestrian access via ramps and temporary walkways over construction and restore the sidewalk.
9. Switch traffic to newly paved side of University so crews can work on the opposite side of the street, repeat steps 1-8.
10. Construct guideway and stations; weld embedded track in the middle of the street.
|
|
Construction Will Be Staged to Maintain Traffic and Pedestrian Access
Crews will stage construction to maintain one lane of through traffic in each direction on University Avenue. During this time, traffic and pedestrian access will be maintained to businesses and properties. At least four feet of sidewalk will be maintained, except when the new sidewalk is being constructed. Construction and outreach staff will meet with each building to discuss access plans and timing of sidewalk replacement. During asphalt paving and sidewalk replacement, businesses should anticipate intermittent driveway and sidewalk closures as crews remove the old and place the new sidewalk, pave the roadway, install temporary pedestrian walkways and move construction equipment.
Stage 1: Work starts on the south two-thirds of University. One lane of traffic maintained in each direction on the north side of University.
Stage 2: Work shifts to north two-thirds of University. One lane of traffic maintained in each direction on the newly restored road on the south side of University.
Stage 3: Two lanes of traffic restored in each direction. Work continues on guideway, track and stations in the middle of University through year's end. Through 2013, crews will install overhead wires and communication systems.
Schedules subject to changes due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances! Weekly online construction updates at www.centralcorridor.org provide schedule updates and changes.
|
|
Contacts and More Information
Community outreach coordinators for the Central Corridor LRT Project are liaisons between the public and contractors. For questions or concerns about 2012 construction activities on the eastern Saint Paul portion of University Avenue, contact outreach coordinators:
Utility Hotlines:
- St. Paul Regional Water Services 24-hour Hotline: (651)266-6868
- To report an electrical outage/check status of an outage call Xcel Energy: 1-800-895-1999
To stay informed ahead of the construction work:
- Get email updates every Friday on road, sidewalk and crosswalk detours and relocated bus stops for the coming week. To sign up, fill in your email address in the "stay connected" tab on the left-hand side of the www.centralcorridor.org homepage.
- Visit the following locations to view a construction update poster: Rondo Library, Wilder Foundation, Gordon Parks High School, Aurora St. Anthony NDC, Model Cities, Western Bank, Shuang Hur Supermarket, Vietnamese Social Services, Lao Family Community of MN, Sun Foods, Glamour with NY Cuts, Agape School, Islamic Da'wah Center, Anh's Hairstylists
To get business assistance:
For non-construction issues:
- Please visit the City of Saint Paul's website, www.stpaul.gov/centralcorridor, for information on business resources, getting around, and corridor planning.
- To report a traffic or on-street parking issue not related to light rail construction, please contact the City's Traffic Division at 651-266-6200.
- To report a general problem or ask a question not related to light rail construction, please call 651-266-8989. Non-construction issues include things like graffiti, property maintenance, or vacant buildings.
- For questions about the Metro Transit sector study, please contact Jill Hentges at 612-349-7318 or jill.hentges@metc.state.mn.us
|
Please don't go around barriers into construction zones. Construction hours will generally be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, but crews will be allowed to work from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week if needed. Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances! Check www.centralcorridor.org frequently for updates. |
 |
|
About the project: The line will connect with the Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at the new Target Field Station. The Metropolitan Council is the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis, commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Counties Transit Improvement Board, state of Minnesota, Ramsey and Hennepin counties' regional railroad authorities, city of St. Paul, Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. The Central Corridor LRT Project Website is www.centralcorridor.org. |
|
|
|
|
|
