Project Details

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Description
The City of Saint Paul plans to reconstruct eight blocks of Robert Street in downtown Saint Paul, from I-94 to Kellogg Boulevard. Reconstruction is needed to repair and replace sidewalks, pavement, and utilities. Improvements include all new:

  • Sidewalks, boulevards, and trees
  • Curb, gutters, and storm water systems
  • Pavement and lane markings
  • Traffic signals and signage
  • Underground utilities

Location
Robert Street from Kellogg Boulevard to I-94 in downtown. 

Timeline 
Community engagement started in fall 2022. Utility work started in 2023 and will continue until road construction begins in 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin spring 2025 and continue through 2026.

Timeline for Grand Avenue construction project
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    Utility & Gold Line Construction Work

    Utility work continues on Robert Street in preparation for the full reconstruction that is planned to begin in spring 2025. There are a few nearby projects that are also occurring in downtown Saint Paul. Please follow all posted signs. Access to businesses is being maintained.

    Robert Street restrictions, pedestrian and business access, and bus detours
    Updated June 28, 2024

    Vehicle Access:

    • Robert Street is only open to northbound traffic between 6th and 4th Streets.
      • 5th Street: No right turn is permitted on to Robert Street.
    • Robert Street remains reduced to one lane in each direction between 7th and 6th Streets through early July.
    • Access to businesses is being maintained.

    Pedestrian Access: 

    • Pedestrian access to properties on Robert Street is being maintained.
    • Please follow signed pedestrian routes when walking or rolling near work zones. 

    Bus Stops: 

    • Metro Transit has been detouring buses traveling in downtown Saint Paul on 6th Street to 7th Street. 
    • For more information see Metro Transit's webpage.
    Map showing road closures downtown St Paul for 6.28.24

    Other area closures and restrictions in Downtown Saint Paul, updated June 28, 2024

    Construction is happening throughout downtown. Plan accordingly and expect delays. Please follow all posted signs. Road and lane closures will change as construction continues.

    • 7th Street: Work is expected to resume in mid-July.
    • 6th Street: Reduced to one lane between Minnesota and Jackson Streets and between Wabasha and Washington Streets.
    • Kellogg Boulevard: Major construction activities are completed. Expect periodic, short-term lane closures between St. Peter and Cedar Streets.
    • 2nd Street: Temporarily closed between Wabasha and Sibley Streets due to flooding.
    • Shepard/Warner Road: Temporarily closed between Eagle Parkway and Highway 61 due to flooding.
      • Two-way traffic is temporarily allowed on Jackson and Sibley Streets between Kellogg Boulevard and Shepard Road for local access.
    • Smith Street: Only open to southbound traffic between 5th Street and Kellogg Boulevard. 
    • St. Peter Street: Lane restrictions between 7th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.
    • Minnesota Street: Lane restrictions between 11th Street and Kellogg Boulevard. More activities are expected to begin in July.
    • Jackson Street: Closed between 2nd St and Shepard Road.
    • Sibley Street: Lane restrictions between 5th and 4th Streets. Road closed between 2nd Street and Shepard Road. 

    Metro Transit Gold Line

    • Lane closures on 6th Street at Jackson and St Peter Streets are needed for station construction. 
    • Intermittent lane closures on 5th and 6th Streets for station work.
    • To sign up for their project updates and see more information, visit the Metro Gold Line webpage.

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

    Upcoming public hearing scheduled for June 12

    The City of Saint Paul is holding a public hearing for the Robert Street Reconstruction (11th Street to Kellogg Boulevard) project assessment, during the city council meeting next week.

    Property owners, tenants, and others are invited to attend the hearing to provide comments on the estimated assessment rate. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you may also provide comments via email, written letter, or voice mail to the contact information listed on your letter. A sample copy of the letter is in project documents below.

    For more information about the assessment, or to see if you are being assessed, please call 651-266-8858 with the parcel ID/address listed in your letter. All property owners were mailed a notification letter with the hearing information and the estimated assessment details from the Office of Financial Services in May 2024. 

    Public Hearing details

    When: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

    Where: City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor City Hall – Court House

      15 W Kellogg Blvd

      St. Paul, MN 55102

    Information about testifying, including via telephone, is available on the Council’s website or on the Council’s agenda at www.stpaul.legistar.com.

    Design Option B (2 vehicle lanes with a center turn lane) Selected for Robert Street

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the 3 design options for Robert Street based on the first phase of public engagement. 

    Based on public input, Design Option B was selected by the City.

    Design Option B is 2 vehicle lanes with a center turn lane. The design features wider sidewalks, bumpouts at intersections, in-lane Bus Rapid Transit stations, left turn lanes for multimodal safety, retains on-street parking at key nodes, accommodates green infrastructure to improve water quality, and provides critical loading zones.

    View the Concept Design Memo for details on how Design Option B was selected and examples of how a typical block on Robert Street will look.

    Graphic showing the path from public input to the 3 design options for Robert Street to the decision to go with Design Option B for Robert Street

    Project Goals

    The reconstruction of Robert Street presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve the City’s vision of what a modern downtown corridor can be: safe, livable, inviting, active, a center of regional economic activity – and equitable for all. The following project goals will guide this reconstruction project.

    • Create a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone
    • Improve mobility for all modes of travel
    • Support efficient and reliable transit service through downtown
    • Create an accessible and safe environment for people who walk and roll
    • Enhance street-level commerce
    • Facilitate a community engagement process that addresses the needs of all stakeholders
    • Improve and replace aging roads, sidewalks, and utilities in 2025 and 2026

    Project Documents

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