Here is our first-ever list of walking advocacy priorities! We're excited to be working on these with our volunteer Pedestrian Work Group and partners.

You may be blocking out memories of our six months of winter, but winter time in Minneapolis too often means navigating snowy or icy sidewalks, snow-blocked curb ramps, and disappearing bike lanes. Thankfully, the City of Minneapolis is looking to improve the winter experience for people who bike, walk, and roll. Public Works recently released a Pedestrian and Bicycle Winter Maintenance Study and Supplemental Report on Sidewalks. Here are some takeaways:

The intersection of 3rd Ave and 16th St is a major interchange that users must pass through to access major downtown features. Features such as the convention center, an entrance to I-94, and the Stevens Square neighborhood, present significant challenges to drivers, cyclists, transit users and pedestrians alike in its current configuration. In this post I hope to highlight the ways in which this intersection's setup and operation is dangerous for all users.

If you’re a resident of a nearby neighborhood, like I am—or if you’re one of the thousands who frequent the area’s popular restaurants, bars, and other amenities—then you are likely aware that the Nicollet Island-East Bank neighborhood is no pedestrian paradise. Minneapolitans and visitors alike may flock to the area around the intersection of Hennepin and Central for a whiskey at Whitey’s or lemons at Lund’s, but you can be assured they’re not visiting for the stellar pedestrian infrastructure or safe streets.

The intersection of 4th St and Central Ave.

UPDATE: Hennepin County will be updating the curb ramps at Franklin and Chicago as part of their ADA curb ramp project in 2021. The sidewalk bordering Peavey Park will be made ADA compliant as part of a Park board project. 

In 2017, the City of Minneapolis released its first pedestrian crash study, this study includes a list of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians. Living close to the intersection of Chicago and Franklin, I expected to see it on this list. Despite living close, I avoid Chicago and Franklin as much as I can but occasionally I will find myself crossing this intersection.

The intersection of Franklin and Chicago, from the North side of Chicago. 

Below are photos from the intersection of Hennepin Ave and 4th Street N, 5th Street N, and 6th Street N.

4th street is the 17th most dangerous intersection for pedestrian in Minneapolis, 13 reported pedestrian crashes occurred at this location in the the ten year study period of the 2017 Pedestrian Crash Study. 

6th street is the 12th most dangerous intersection for pedestrians in Minneapolis. 14 reported pedestrian crashes occurred at this location in the ten year study period of the 2017 Pedestrian Crash Study. 

These crashes range from fatal to incapacitating to minor crashes.

What are your experiences with Hennepin Ave and 4th, 5th, and 6th Streets N? Follow #mplsintersections on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation. 

Is there an intersection you would like Our Streets Minneapolis to highlight? Contact Frances to let us know and get involved.

All photos taken by Paul Jahn.

When crossing the intersection at Hennepin and Lagoon to go the Walker Library it often feels like “Russian Roulette” because I am never quite sure if the drivers will yield when I try to cross Lagoon.  This is especially true once the two lanes of traffic turning right from Hennepin on to Lagoon start flowing.

Below are photos from the intersection of Lake St E and Bloomington Ave S, the 14th most dangerous intersection for pedestrians in Minneapolis. 13 reported pedestrian crashes occurred at this location in the ten year study period of the 2017 Pedestrian Crash Study. These crashes range from fatal to incapacitating to minor crashes.

What are your experiences with Lake and Bloomington? Follow #mplsintersections on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation. 

Is there an intersection you would like Our Streets Minneapolis to highlight? Contact Frances to let us know and get involved.

All photos taken by Clark Goldenrod.

The intersection of Lake Street W and Lyndale Avenue S had the highest total pedestrian crashes (24 crashes) according to the 2017 City of Minneapolis Pedestrian Crash Study. Lake and Lyndale is a signalized intersection with four lanes of traffic to cross on each street. (StarTribune video of the intersection). There are bus stops on all four corners serving routes 21 and 53 on Lake Street and routes 4 and 113 on Lyndale Avenue. Additionally, both Lake and Lyndale have thriving businesses and medium density housing at and near this intersection.

Photo by Janelle Nivens

Stop lights have a big impact on the safety and ease of walking, but pedestrians are mostly an afterthought in stop light design. Here are five problems with traffic lights for people walking. We understand that the City is starting to think about how stop lights work for people walking, and we hope to be able to report on progress soon.