Description
The City of Saint Paul will reconstruct Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Snelling Avenue in 2025. This project was originally planned to begin in 2024 but was postponed due to timing considerations and scheduling concerns. Construction will be completed in two sections to stay on schedule while maintaining access to businesses, properties, and Macalester College.

The Public Works goals of the project are to: 

  • Improve safety along the corridor, with an emphasis on pedestrian crossing safety
  • Upgrade and modernize ageing infrastructure
  • Improve built environment to better serve Grand Avenue businesses
  • Improve transit user experience
  • Balance mode share to encourage non-automotive trips along and to the corridor
  • Improve pedestrian crossing interactions/placemaking through Macalester College campus

Location
Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue

Timeline

  • Community engagement started in 2022 and was completed in early 2023
  • Construction is in 2025 with clean up and any remaining items in 2026
Tags

    Update 9/2: September 2 and 3, the Grand Avenue intersections at Wheeler and Cambridge streets are scheduled to be closed

    • Paving on Grand Avenue has been stopped due to the rain on Tuesday, September 2. Wheeler and Cambridge intersections will be closed on Wednesday, September 3 for paving.

    September 10 Grand Avenue Public Art Meeting (see details below)

    Grand Avenue Adjusted Schedule

    Printable Grand Avenue Adjusted Schedule flyer - August 19, 2025

    Image showing the Grand Avenue update and adjusted construction schedule August 19, 2025. Click for ADA accessible PDF.

    This week (August 24-29)

    Holiday work schedule:

    • Crews are scheduled to complete work and have the site cleaned up by 7 p.m. on Friday, August 29 for the holiday weekend. Crews will resume construction activities at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2.

    Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Macalester Street:

    • Crews have begun installing sidewalks along Grand Avenue and will begin pouring the sidewalks and pedestrian ramps at the Fairview Avenue intersection.

    Grand Avenue between Wheeler and Macalester streets:

    • Crews have started installing the first layers of asphalt paving.
    • Crews will soon begin removing the south sidewalks.
    • If staff have not stopped in, they will be stopping by to coordinate access to your business.
    • Please follow any posted signs as work occurs in the area.

    Grand Avenue between Macalester Street and Snelling Avenue:

    • Sidewalks are ready for pedestrian use. Please follow any posted signs as work continues in the area.
    • Macalester College continues working to install their median planter beds.

    Next week (September 2-6)

    Grand Avenue and Fairview Avenue intersection:

    • Installation of sidewalks and pedestrian ramps will be completed.
      • Following sidewalk installation, crews will pave the final layer of asphalt and lane striping will be completed.

    Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Macalester Street:

    • The next layers of asphalt will be paved.
      • The Wheeler and Cambridge Street intersections are scheduled to be closed Tuesday, September 2 for paving activities.
    • Sidewalk preparation and installation continues along both sides of Grand Avenue.
      • South Sidewalks: Work is scheduled to begin after Labor Day, following asphalt paving.
      • Staff will coordinate with your business to maintain business access during sidewalk installation. Please follow any posted signs as work occurs in the area.
    • Xcel Energy is scheduled to begin work for Macalester College.
      • Work will occur on the north side of Grand Avenue between Cambridge and Macalester streets.

    Grand Avenue and Wheeler Street intersection and Grand Avenue and Cambridge Street intersection:

    • Closed Tuesday, September 2 for paving activities.

    Sewer Work on Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Wheeler Street:

    • The City’s sewer department will be cleaning and lining the sanitary sewer pipes along Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Wheeler Street (including the Fairview Avenue intersection). This work is not yet scheduled.
    • To learn more about the sewer lining process and any impacts that may occur, please visit gov/sewerlining.

    All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

    Grand Avenue closed from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue

    • Vehicle traffic detoured using St Clair, Cleveland, Marshall, and Snelling avenues

    Grand Avenue Detour Map

    Map showing Grand Avenue closed Fairview to Snelling. Detour route on St Clair, Cleveland, Marshall and Snelling

    Local and business access

    • Directional signage will be updated for local business and pedestrian access routes between Fairview and Snelling avenues.

    • Local and business access remains open on Grand Avenue between Cleveland and Fairview avenues.

    • Wheeler, Cambridge and Macalester streets remain open across Grand Avenue. 

      • Except when work is occurring through the intersections.

    • Parking and deliveries are available using alleys and side streets. 

      • Parking remains available on Grand Avenue west of Fairview Avenue. 

      • Short-term parking is available on Wheeler, Cambridge, and Macalester streets between Summit and Lincoln avenues.

    • Printable business access map
    Map showing Grand Avenue closed between Fairview and Snelling avenues. Local business access use Summit Avenue and cross streets

    Pedestrian access during construction

    • Pedestrians should use the south side of the sidewalk along Grand Avenue, except as directed. 

    • Please follow any posted detour signs.

    • When work occurs in intersections, there will always be one north/south and one east/west crossing available.

    Bus access and detour during construction

    • Route 63 bus is detoured off Grand Avenue from Cleveland Avenue to Snelling Avenue beginning April 14, 2025 until further notice.
    • See the Metro Transit Route 63 rider alert for more information and a map of the detour and temporary bus stops: https://www.metrotransit.org/route/63

    September 10 Grand Avenue Public Art Meeting

    Join us to learn more about the opportunities for public art on Grand Avenue in the newly constructed area. As part of street reconstruction projects 1% of the project cost is dedicated to public art.

    Wednesday, September 10
    6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    Patagonia - 1648 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

    Image of Grand Avenue construction crawl card

    Support Grand Avenue Businesses during Construction with the "Construction Crawl Card"

    The City of Saint Paul, Grand Avenue Business Association, and the Macalester-Groveland Community Council are working together to support businesses along Grand Avenue during construction. Support Grand Avenue Businesses during construction with the "Construction Crawl Card."

    Grab your crew and hit the avenue — it’s time for a Construction Crawl!

    Wander your way down Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue, stopping into your favorite shops, restaurants, and local gems along the way. Score deals, check off your to-do list, and show some love to small businesses all in one go.

    Exclusive offers are waiting August–October 2025 — just flash your Construction Crawl Card!

    Download your Construction Crawl Card now or pick one up at a participating businesses and let the crawl begin.

    For more information and to download the Construction Crawl Card, visit grandave.com/construction

    Grand Avenue Business open office hours every other Wednesday 1 - 1:30 p.m.

    We invite businesses to join us virtually or in person on every other Wednesday from 1 – 1:30 p.m. for open office hours. 

    We will hold these office hours on September 3 and then may make adjustments based on attendance. We are committed to being available in person and by phone to respond to business and resident concerns and questions. Look for more information about office hours as we make adjustments.

    Every other Wednesday - September 3
    1:00 - 1:30 p.m.

    Agenda for Grand Avenue Business Open Office Hours (printable agenda)

    • Welcome and Project Team Introductions

    • Reminder of Meeting Protocols for hybrid meeting with online and in-person participants

    • Reports

      • Construction updates for the current week

      • Construction updates for what is coming in the next week or two

      • Updates from other construction in the area

    • Facilitated Discussions to Address Questions and Concerns

      • Grand Avenue businesses

      • Other concerns on Grand Avenue  

      • Other concerns on Lincoln Avenue and surrounding area 

    Grand Avenue Business Support

    • If you would like "Grand Avenue is open for business" window clings or posters, a customized business access map, or have other questions about business support, please email us at publicworksinfo@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

    Project Updates 2025

    All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

    Project Updates 2024

    FAQs

    Project Documents

    Note that construction information and materials are updated throughout the project. Please refer to the most recent version of maps and documents.

    Investing in Saint Paul Streets: Common Cent 

    A portion of this street reconstruction project will be paid for by a 1% local option sales tax, called Common Cent. This sales tax was approved by Saint Paul voters in November 2023. A portion of the project will also be funded through assessments to property owners adjacent to the project. The estimated assessment rate is based on a third-party special benefit analysis of the property values in the project area. Property owners will receive a notice of the estimated rate and date for a public hearing when estimated rates are available. More information on assessments can be found at www.stpaul.gov/specialassessments.

    Other Construction Projects in the Area