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 will be in 2025
Tags

    Xcel Energy Work Starts on Monday, April 7

    Xcel Energy will be working on Grand Avenue between Cambridge Street and Macalester Street starting on April 7. Work is anticipated to take approximately two weeks.

    Xcel is relocating a gas line and replacing gas lines, meters, and valves on the front of the buildings on the south side of Grand Avenue. Xcel will coordinate with property owners as needed.

    Traffic and parking impacts:

    • Grand Avenue will remain open to traffic.
    • No Parking will be allowed on the south side of Grand Avenue between Cambridge Street and Macalester Street and on Cambridge Street just south of Grand Avenue.
    • Sidewalks may be closed. Sidewalk access will be maintained on the north side of Grand Avenue.
    • Business and property access will be maintained.
    • Please follow all posted signs.

    Grand Avenue Construction Schedule

    Below is an overview of the construction schedule. More specific details about the 2025 construction staging will be provided prior to the start of construction.

    Grand Avenue reconstruction map with Section 1 from Fairview to Cambridge and Section 2 from Cambridge to Snelling
    • Construction is scheduled to begin spring 2025. Anticipated schedule, subject to change:
      • April - October 2025: Section 1 construction - Fairview Avenue to Cambridge Street, includes the Fairview Avenue and Cambridge Street intersections
      • Mid-May - August 2025: Section 2 construction - Cambridge Street to Snelling Avenue, may include the Snelling Avenue intersection in coordination with MnDOT
    • Final restoration and landscaping activities may occur in spring/summer 2026.
    • Utility work will be coordinated with the construction activities.
    • Pedestrian access and access to businesses will be maintained during construction.

    March 20 Community Meeting

    Thanks to everyone who joined us for the community meeting on Thursday, March 20.

    Action Steps for Businesses & Property Owners

    • Sign up for email updates at the bottom of this webpage
    • Provide the best contact person and information for your business or organization using the button below
    • Notify Public Works if you have any items in the public right of way, such as sprinklers, benches, etc.
    • Notify Public Works if you have areaways or vaults (areas that extend from the basement of your building under the sidewalk)
    • Look for additional mailings about replacement about your private sewer and water service lines
    Business & Organization Sign Up

    Public Works will use this information to reach out to your business or organization about construction.

    Project Updates 2025

    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