Hennepin, 1st Avenues: One way no more

2-way traffic to start this weekend for Hennepin, 1st Avenue

Last update: October 9, 2009 - 9:33 AM

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

LEARN MORE The city's website has maps and details at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hennepinfirst.

More from Local + Metro

After nearly 30 years as one-way streets, Hennepin and 1st Avenues in downtown Minneapolis are scheduled to carry two-way traffic starting Saturday.

Drivers and bicyclists will have to watch for new striping between 12th Street and the Mississippi River and adjust to unfamiliar features such as "bike boxes" and new shared bus/bike/right-turn-only lanes.

The goal of the $3 million conversion is to allow downtown visitors to drive more directly to their destinations.

The details:

• The three northbound through lanes on Hennepin will be replaced with one through lane in each direction, designated left turn lanes, and combined bike-bus-right-turn lanes.

• On 1st Avenue N., bike lanes will run along the curbs, with off-peak parking allowed next to the bike lane -- 6 feet from the curb. The idea is that parked cars will serve as a buffer between moving traffic and the bike lane.

• "Bike boxes" painted at intersections will require cars to stay back from crosswalks about 10 feet to give left-turning bicycles a place to wait in front of motor-vehicle traffic.

Extra traffic control officers are slated to be on hand Saturday night -- prime bar-hopping time in the Warehouse District -- as well as during the morning commute on Monday.

The conversion could be delayed if weather on Saturday is too wet or too cold for applying road paint.

JIM FOTI

Recent Local + Metro stories

Twin Cities flu clinics set for this weekend - October 9, 2009

Twin Cities flu clinics set for this weekend - Today, Fairview Clinics will offer walk-in vaccination at its locations in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Fridley, Eagan and Wyoming, and other clinics are planned. More