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

    REVISED SEWER LINING SCHEDULE: March 16 - 20, 2026 Sanitary Sewer Pipelining on Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Macalester Street

    Revised schedule as of March 9, 2026

    Saint Paul Public Works Sewer Utility will be doing work to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer that serves Grand Avenue. The sanitary sewer will be repaired by installing a new pipe liner inside the existing sewer line as part of the Grand Avenue Reconstruction project. 

    The sewer work required the completion of the Grand Avenue roadway before the contractor could proceed with the sewer lining work. Additionally, to reduce overall impacts this work has been scheduled to occur during the Macalester College spring break and before the Grand Avenue and Snelling intersection construction.

    Sewer liner construction is done without excavation by accessing the sanitary sewer through the existing utility covers (manholes) in the street. To learn more about the pipelining process, visit the project webpage at stpaul.gov/SewerLining.

    Sewer Lining Schedule (revised as of March 9)

    • Monday, March 16 (blue on map) – west end of the block on the south side of Grand Avenue from Cambridge to Macalester, and west end of the block on the south side of Grand Avenue from Wheeler to Cambridge
      • 3 a.m. start
    • Tuesday, March 17 (pink on map) – east end of the block on the south side of Grand Avenue from Cambridge to Macalester
      • 3 a.m. start
    • Wednesday, March 18 (orange on map) – east end of the block on the north side of Grand Avenue between Cambridge and Macalester and west end and middle of the block on north side of Grand Avenue between Wheeler and Cambridge
      • 5 a.m. start
    • Thursday, March 19 (red on map) – south side of Grand Avenue from Fairview to Wheeler
      • 5 a.m. start
    • Friday, March 20 (yellow on map) – middle and east end of the block on the south side of Grand Avenue from Wheeler to Cambridge and the east end of the block on the north side of Grand Avenue from Wheeler to Cambridge
      • 5 a.m. start

    See the revised Sewer Lining Schedule for estimated start times by address

    Map showing the schedule of sewer lining work by day

    Printable Grand Avenue Sewer Lining Map - revised 3.9.26

    Map showing the schedule for sewer lining on Grand Avenue from Fairview to Macalester

    Traffic & Parking Impacts

    • Grand Avenue will be open to traffic during sewer lining work. There may be lane changes.
    • There will be no parking posted on Grand Avenue, Wheeler Street, and Cambridge Street from midnight to 5 p.m. Location of no parking will change during the week based on where the sewer lining work is happening.
    • There will be lane changes on Grand Avenue for the sewer work.
    • Fairview Avenue, Macalester Street, and Cambridge Street will have closures and/or lane changes while work is happening at the intersection. 
    • Cambridge Street and Wheeler Street will be closed at Grand Avenue during the sewer lining work.
    • There will be no parking posted on Grand Avenue and cross streets during this work. Please follow all posted signs.
    • Crews and equipment will be on site from approximately 2 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., depending upon the day.

    Information for Businesses and Properties Impacted by Sewer Lining 

    • Each property will be impacted one day for sewer work for approximately 5 hours. See revised schedule for approximate times at each property.
    • Impacted properties will not be able to flush toilets, shower, wash dishes, do laundry, or run water down their drains
    • The contractor will notify you shortly before work starts and when work is completed and you can use the sewer line again.

    See the Revised Sewer Lining Schedule for more information on sewer lining impacts.

    Help protect the new Grand Avenue sidewalks: Salt harms new concrete

    Try sand or grit instead

    To ensure long-lasting, durable concrete, please do not use salt or ice melt on newly poured sidewalks this winter. Your participation is important to the quality and longevity of the concrete surfaces.

    Why skip the salt?

    • New concrete is weakest during its first year.
    • Salt accelerates the freeze/thaw cycle that could result in chipping or cracking of the concrete.
    • Sand or grit (sold as chicken, poultry, or cherry stone grit) is a great alternative for increasing traction on icy surfaces.

    Help care for the newly planted trees

    A young tree needs about 20 gallons of water a week. Place a hose close to the tree and run the water at a trickly for about 2 hours once a week.

    Request a FREE watering bag by calling Parks and Recreation at 651-266-6400 or completing the online watering bag request form.

    Protect young trees from damage by nearby sidewalk furniture, activities, or equipment. Trees can die from bark damage.

    Grand Avenue Schedule Moving Forward

    Grand Avenue Continued Construction Flyer - October 24, 2025

    Grand Avenue Continued Construction Informational Flyer

    Grand Avenue Reopening Celebration

    Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter cuts ribbon on newly reconstructed Grand Avenue.

    Thank you for joining us at the Grand Avenue Reopening Celebration held on October 21, 2025. Our community celebration was complete with fun activities, music, and a ribbon cutting on the newly reconstructed Grand Avenue. Check out the City of Saint Paul's YouTube channel to view the reopening festivities and hear from Grand Avenue business owners.

    Grand Avenue Reopening YouTube

    Thank you to the local businesses, Mac-Groveland Community Council, Grand Avenue Business Association, and Macalester College for your support and partnership throughout construction and in celebrating the reopening.

    Image of Grand Avenue construction crawl card

    Construction Crawl Card Ended October 31

    Thanks to all the businesses and shoppers that participated in the construction crawl.

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

    Public Art on Grand Avenue

    Thanks to everyone who took the Public Art survey for Grand Avenue between Snelling Avenue and Fairview Avenue. Your survey responses will help inform the artist who will create the public art to be installed in the project area. As part of street reconstruction projects 1% of the project cost is dedicated to public art. The public art budget for the Grand Avenue project is $40,000. 

    Saint Paul’s 1% Public Art Ordinance: Quick Overview

    Saint Paul’s Public Art Ordinance arose from the aspiration and vision of civic leaders, artists and the community for a creative city at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. It arose from decades of exploration and observation as the City planned its future, as its population diversified, and as the practice of public art evolved. The Ordinance emerged in 2009 as a powerful tool that places artists at the core of civic action in shaping the form and experience of the city.

    Adopted in 2009, this ordinance mandates dedicating 1% of eligible capital project budgets toward public art, ensuring that art is built into city development from the start. Managed in collaboration with Public Art Saint Paul (PASP), the city's nonprofit art partner, artists are embedded early in planning to help shape public spaces in meaningful ways.

    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