UPDATE 5/27/22: Staff directive to save Hennepin Ave S bus lanes passes through committee. Next step: Full Council Vote

On December 7, 2021 the Minneapolis Public Works Department released their recommended layout for the Hennepin Avenue South reconstruction project from Lake Street to Douglas Avenue (construction will begin in 2024). The design includes car traffic lanes in both directions with additional dedicated left-turn lanes, full-time dedicated bus lanes, wider sidewalks, a protected bikeway, improved crosswalks, a planted center median, and more. This design would make Hennepin Avenue S comfortable and accessible for all users.

After months of delay, Public Works is finally bringing forward the final layout for approval by the Minneapolis City Council. Unfortunately the original plan has been changed and 24/7 bus lanes will no longer be included when the new street opens in 2026. 

Public Works may claim that this layout is the same as the original plan, however that is not true. The current plan would delay the implementation of 24/7 bus lanes until an unspecified date in the future. There is no accountability and no reason to believe that this will happen anytime soon. This is unacceptable. These bus lanes are urgently needed for the thousands who depend on transit to access their daily needs. 24/7 bus lanes must be included on day 1 of the project's opening.

On May 19, the Public Works & Infrastructure (PWI) Committee passed a staff direction that would restore 24/7 bus lanes on day 1 of the Hennepin Avenue S reconstruction opening. The plan was brought to full City Council and then returned back to committee at the May 25th Council meeting. The layout will once again need to be amended to include 24/7 bus lanes at the June 9th PWI committee meeting.

We are calling on Ward 10 council member Aisha Chughtai to seek a vote on June 9th to amend the Public Works Department recommended design and RESTORE the original layout, and we are calling on the members of the PWI Committee Members Andrew Johnson, Elliott Payne, Robin Wonsley Worlobah, LaTrisha Vetaw, and Emily Koski to support and vote for this amendment — including all day 24/7 bus lanes on Day 1!

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