The project team will attend upcoming community events in July and August. Watch for staff and our booth to learn more about the project and design. For more information, visit the meetings webpage.
About this project
Hwy 47 project location map.
We are working to make University Ave. Northeast (Hwy 47) from Central Ave. S.E. (Hwy 65) to 27th Ave. Northeast in Minneapolis safer and easier to use. We want to make sure everyone can use University Ave. safely and comfortably, whether they walk, roll, ride a bike, use public transit, or drive a car or truck.
In 2024 and 2025, we received input from more than 4,500 people about proposed changes on University Ave. Northeast, including for the intersections of Broadway St. Northeast and Lowry Ave. Northeast. Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback! You can review what we heard on the community engagement webpage.
Based on input gathered over the last year, we now have a design for University Ave. Northeast. This design will increase safety and make University Ave. Northeast easier for everyone to travel on, including at Lowry Ave. Northeast and Broadway St. Northeast. You can review these improvements on the design webpage. You can also learn more about the design by visiting with project staff at upcoming community events.
Later this year, we will seek municipal consent from the City of Minneapolis to move forward with these improvements. When approved, construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with potential utility work in 2026.
Background
We developed the initial proposed changes based on recent studies of the area and input from thousands of community members. This includes the Hwy 47/Hwy 65 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.
Summary of work
- Repave University Ave. between Central Ave. and 27th Ave. Northeast
- Narrow University Ave. Northeast from four lanes to three lanes
- Create boulevards to separate sidewalks from the road
- Add curb extensions on side streets
- Add a bike lane on University Ave. Northeast between Central Ave. and 1st Ave., as identified in the City of Minneapolis’ Transportation Action Plan All Ages and Abilities Bikeway Network
- Add medians between travel lanes in key places
- Remove on-street parking along much of the road, except in key places
- Shift the intersection of University Ave. Northeast and Lowry Ave. Northeast to the south
- Remove the separate right turn in the southwest corner of the intersection of Broadway St. Northeast and University Ave. Northeast and add boulevard space between the roadway and the sidewalk
- Update sidewalks, intersections and crossings to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Improve drainage
- Remove guardrail
Traffic impacts
All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be provided as details become available.