Reconstruction returns to council.

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.

The Minneapolis City Council passed a layout amendment to include 24/7 Bus Lanes on Day 1, but Mayor Frey vetoed the action. City Council did not override the veto despite a majority of council members voting to do so. The Hennepin Ave S reconstruction now returns to committee for review. Disappointingly, Councilmembers Chughtai and Johnson signaled a compromise that would delay 24/7 bus lanes for several years.

It has been revealed that research supporting dedicated bus lanes has been withheld during City Council meetings. This represents a clear lack of transparency and accountability from the Public Works Director and Mayor. The need for 24/7 lanes should not be undermined.

We are now calling on members of the Public Works Committee to once again introduce an amendment to restore 24/7 bus lanes on day one of the Hennepin Reconstruction opening. We strongly believe that compromise on this issue will harm the thousands of people who rely on public transit for their daily needs.

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