Pavement Management – 2026

In the video below the city explains a typical construction process, service impacts, property impacts, restoration activities, private utilities, what the end of construction looks like and more.

Contact us

If you have questions or concerns, contact the engineering department at 952.924.2656, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

After hours

If an issue arises outside of regular business hours, call the city's non-emergency dispatcher at 952.924.2618. They will contact the appropriate on-call project staff.

Private improvements in the right of way

GMH Asphalt will be working in the public right of way. If you have private improvements such as underground sprinklers, electrical wiring, perennial gardens, or invisible fences within 15 feet of the curb, they are likely in the public right of way. Removal and reinstallation of these items are the property owner's responsibility.

Plan to remove these items from the public right of way as soon as possible. Private improvements that are not removed may be damaged during construction. Property owners are responsible for repair or replacement of damaged items. If you have questions, contact the project coordinator.

Weather

Be aware that construction is highly weather-dependent; rain can cause delays. Stay up to date on the schedule by signing up for email updates. This project webpage will have the most current information on the contractor's progress.

School buses and emergency services

Staff is in direct contact with the school district, police, fire and ambulance services and will be communicating construction schedules to them for the duration of the project.

Access

We realize that construction activities can be an inconvenience and we appreciate your patience while the project is being completed.

The contractor has been directed to provide you with access to your property at the end of each workday. However, access to and from your property during normal working hours may be affected, requiring alternate routes or other accommodations.

If you have special access needs, contact the project coordinator. In most instances, we are able to meet your particular needs.

New concrete

If new concrete is placed at your driveway, alley or sidewalk, there will be a seven-day cure period. During this time, you will not be able to drive on the new concrete. You will be able to park on the street in front of your house. Notices will be sent to affected properties in advance of the concrete installation.

Garbage, recycling, organics, mail and deliveries

City staff and the contractor will work closely with the various providers that service your neighborhood. Please make sure to set out your garbage, recycling and organics carts, as well as personal carts or bags of yard waste, for collection by 7 a.m. on your collection day, even if they are usually collected later in the day. Crews may need to adjust the usual time that they collect materials in your area throughout the construction project.

On-street parking

While your street is under construction, there will be days in which parking will be restricted. This is to ensure that the contractor can complete their work. When this happens, temporary "NO PARKING" signs will be posted 48 hours prior to construction to allow you to make other parking arrangements.

Survey markers

In order to perform the project construction, engineers place a series of survey markers (wooden stakes) for the contractor to measure from. Typically, these markers are offset several feet from the object or point they refer to so that they are not disturbed during the construction process. As a result, these offset markers are often placed well into the boulevard. If you have questions about a stake in your yard, give the project coordinator a call.

Private utility providers

Private utilities, such as telephone, gas and electric companies, will also be working on their infrastructure. For specific information about their activities, it is often best to contact the provider directly.

Contact the following for utility outages:

• CenterPoint Energy: To report a suspected natural gas leak, immediately leave, go to a safe location, call 911, and then call their natural gas leak emergency hotline at 612.372.5050 or 800.296.9815. Website: www.centerpointenergy.com
• Xcel Energy: To report a power outage, call 1.800.895.1999 or go online to www.xcelenergy.com
• CenturyLink: To report an internet outage call 1.877.348.9005; to report a telephone outage call 1.877.348.9007; or report both online at www.centurylink.com
• Comcast: Call 1.800.934.6489 or online at www.xfinity.com
• USI: Call 612.444.1888 or go online to www.usinternet.com/support

Utility flags

To protect against underground utility damage, the contractor will be calling in utility locates. This is required for anyone digging a hole, whether it is to plant a tree or rebuild a street. The city and private utilities will mark their underground utilities by spray painting marks on the ground and placing flags in the boulevard. Do not remove these flags.

Safety

Your help in maintaining a safe work environment is important. The noise and activity during construction can make it difficult for workers to watch for onlookers. Heavy equipment operators must concentrate on the job at hand and may not notice activity near or behind their equipment. Keep a safe distance and use caution while traveling through the construction area. Be alert for moving equipment, holes, trenches and other hazards in the work zone.

Remember: If you can't see them, they can't see you.

We know children are often very interested in construction and construction equipment. We want them to be safe. Remind children to stay clear of the construction area and equipment during working and non-working hours.

A number of streets in the Bronx Park Neighborhood are scheduled for rehabilitation during the 2026 construction season. The project includes street reconstruction, drainage repairs, sidewalks and underground utility work.

The city's Pavement Management Program proactively addresses the condition of the residential streets within the city. The program was developed in 2003 to extend pavement life and enhance system-wide performance in a cost-effective and efficient way by providing the right pavement strategy at the right time. In addition to the street and utility work, the city council has provided city staff with direction to look at all aspects of neighborhood livability and "living streets" considerations as a part of our transportation projects. As part of the project development, city staff reviewed the street, utilities, fiber, sidewalk network, stormwater runoff, traffic management, and tree preservation.

The 2026 pavement management project is included in the Capital Improvement Program approved by the St. Louis Park City Council. These improvements are proposed to be paid for using city funds; there are no proposed assessments to property owners for this project.

Approved project scope

Project improvements

• Pavement rehabilitation
• Watermain replacement
• Storm and sanitary structure replacement
• Curb and driveway apron replacement
• Existing sidewalk repairs
• Underground stormwater treatment (infiltration system)

Details and locations

• 28th Street from Louisiana Avenue to Blackstone Avenue: pavement reconstruction
• 29th Street from Louisiana Avenue to Brunswick Avenue: pavement reconstruction and sidewalk on the north side of the street
• 29th Street from Brunswick Avenue to CPKC railroad: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
• Brunswick Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street: pavement reconstruction
• Brunswick Avenue from 29th Street to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
• Colorado Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
• Idaho Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
• Idaho Avenue from 28th to 27th: pavement reconstruction
• Jersey Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction
• Kentucky Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 28th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
• Kentucky Avenue from 28th Street to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction

New sidewalk

• A new sidewalk will be constructed on the north side of 29th Street between Louisiana Avenue and Brunswick Avenue.
• The boulevard width for this sidewalk has been modified from the originally proposed 0–4 feet to 0–3 feet.

Street width changes

• 29th Street (Louisiana Avenue to Brunswick Avenue) will be narrowed from 30 feet to 26 feet.
• All other streets will remain at their existing widths.

Parking changes

• Parking will be prohibited on the north side of 29th Street between Louisiana Avenue and Brunswick Avenue.

Introductory postcard

In March 2025, the city mailed out a postcard informing community members of the project and inviting them to provide their input that would help design the overall project. City provided a link and a QR code for the website where community members could use the interactive map or use info to contact city staff. 

Feedback summary

On June 6, 2025, the city mailed out a 2026 Pavement Management feedback summary letter, which also contained summary of the project scope, sidewalk FAQs, street width FAQs and the next steps. 

Feedback on the proposed sidewalk

Why sidewalks?

• To improve safety, accessibility and connectivity within our community.
• To support healthy lifestyles by encouraging walking and outdoor activity.
• To make it easier for people of all ages and abilities – including children, seniors and individuals with disabilities – to move around the neighborhood safely and independently.

Who pays?

• These sidewalk segments will be constructed at no direct cost to the property owners, and the city is responsible for any future repairs.

What about trees and landscaping?

• As part of the design, staff will look at all options to preserve as many trees as possible.
• Preliminary plans showing the sidewalk and impacts will be shared at open houses held later this year.
• The impact of the proposed sidewalks, along with the cost and resident feedback, will be presented to the city council to assist them with their decision.

What about snow removal?

• The adjacent property owner will be responsible for snow removal.

Where will the sidewalk go?

• Investing in sidewalk infrastructure aligns with the city’s long-term transportation and livability goals, helping create a more connected, walkable and inclusive community.
• The city's sidewalk planning framework has a goal of having continuous sidewalks on at least one side of the street on low-volume residential roads.
• The existing sidewalk system is reviewed as part of street projects, and new sidewalks are evaluated.

29th Street design

• Reduce the street width from 30 feet to 26 feet (will minimize the impacts to trees and driveway lengths)
• Evaluate the sidewalk on the north side of 29th Street (there are fewer trees, utility and retaining walls; it receives more direct sunshine during the winter, promoting snow/ice melt)
• Propose a four-foot-wide grass boulevard and a five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk (the boulevard width will be reduced in some locations to preserve existing trees)

27th Street design

• Evaluate the sidewalk on the south side of 27th Street between Louisiana and Kentucky avenues, which would complete a gap in the existing sidewalk network.

When will the sidewalk locations be decided? How can I provide feedback?

• The decision on whether to construct proposed sidewalk segments will be made by the city council as a part of the project approval process in late 2025.
• Right now, these sidewalks are being evaluated as part of the project development.
• Staff recommendations will ultimately be based on factors like traffic volumes, tree impacts, private property impacts, available right of way and cost.
• It is possible that sidewalks evaluated will not be recommended or approved for construction.

Request for more boulevard trees

The project includes planting new trees the year after construction. 

Concerns of safety at intersections; requests for stop signs, increased visibility, etc.

 The city will evaluate intersections. Any changes will be shared at open houses.

Upgrade railroad crossings

The city is evaluating all railroad crossings along the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 2025 and 2026.

Areas where flooding occurs during heavy rain events

Staff will review these areas and investigate potential solutions.

Pedestrian crossings on Minnetonka Boulevard

Hennepin County has begun community input for the reconstruction in 2027 and 2028.

Street width FAQs

Why reduce the street widths?

• Pedestrian safety: narrower streets mean that pedestrians have a shorter crossing distance at intersections.
• Street trees: a wider grass boulevard provides more space for existing trees to thrive and for planting new trees.
• Stormwater management: a reduction in the pavement that directly drains to the storm sewer means less runoff going into our lakes, wetlands, and rivers.
• Heat pollution: less pavement reduces the potential for solar-generated heat, contributing to a reduction in the urban heat island effect.
• Traffic management: narrower streets, in combination with on-street parking and street trees, can reduce vehicle speeds.
• Snow removal: a wider boulevard provides more space for snow storage. Also, less pavement means less snow being pushed into the boulevard.
• Cost: less pavement will mean less cost for initial construction and future maintenance (i.e., sweeping, salt application, snow removal, etc.)

How are streets selected?

• As part of the Pavement Management project, the city evaluates street widths and works to right-size our streets where possible. The possibility opens up when concrete curb is removed on the street due to underground city utility replacement, poor condition, poor drainage or sidewalk installation.
• When the curb is removed, the city has an opportunity to evaluate the existing street width and will recommend width reductions on streets wider than 28 feet.

Are emergency services affected?

• Police and fire departments have reviewed our street width standards and are comfortable with parking allowed on both sides of streets that are 28 feet wide or more.

Which streets will be reduced in width?

• Please review the proposed street widths on the project map.
  • The city will be replacing all the concrete curbs on the street segments in the project area. The exception is 28th Street, where the existing curb is in good condition.
  • The majority of the proposed street widths include a reduction from 30 feet to 28 feet. Parking is allowed on both sides of 28-foot-wide streets.
  • The proposed street width of 29th Street is a reduction from 30 feet to 26 feet to minimize the impacts to trees and driveway lengths due to proposed sidewalk construction. Parking would be restricted on one side of the street if the street width is changed to 26 feet.
• When will the road widths be decided? How can I provide feedback?
  • No decisions have been made at this time.
  • There will be open houses later this year where the project design will be shared and city staff will be available to answer questions and collect feedback.
  • The decision on whether to approve the proposed street widths will be made by the city council as part of the project approval process in late 2025.

Open houses

• Open house #1
  • The city mailed an invitation to open house #1 on Sept. 8, 2025 (in-person open house was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lenox Community Center; "pop-up" event at Bronx Park was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bronx Park; offer to set up an individual meeting was extended to all community members by contacting city staff). 
• Open house #2
  • The city mailed an invitation to open house #2 on Oct. 29, 2025
  • The meeting was scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers.
  • Community members were invited to view staff recommendations and design layouts, ask questions, learn what to expect during construction and meet the staff who will be working on the project.  

Public hearing

On Dec. 29, 2025, the city mailed an invitation to the public hearing for the 2026 Pavement Management project held on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Staff presented the details of the project along with recommendations.

• Project layouts(PDF, 8MB)
• Staff recommendations
  • 28th Street from Louisiana Avenue to Blackstone Avenue: pavement reconstruction
  • 29th Street from Louisiana Avenue to Brunswick Avenue: pavement reconstruction and sidewalk on the north side of the street
  • 29th Street from Brunswick Avenue to CPKC railroad: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
  • Brunswick Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street: pavement reconstruction
  • Brunswick Avenue from 29th Street to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
  • Colorado Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
  • Idaho Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
  • Idaho Avenue from 28th Street to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction
  • Jersey Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction
  • Kentucky Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 28th Street: pavement reconstruction and watermain replacement
  • Kentucky Avenue from 28th Street to 27th Street: pavement reconstruction
• Staff recommends that the project include the following improvements:
  • Pavement rehabilitation
  • Watermain, storm and sanitary structure replacement
  • New sidewalk on the north side of 29th Street from Louisiana Avenue to Brunswick Avenue
  • Curb and driveway apron replacement
  • Street width changes
    • 29th Street from Louisiana Avenue to Brunswick Avenue: 30 feet to 26 feet
    • Kentucky Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: 30 feet to 28 feet
    • Jersey Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: 30 feet to 28 feet
    • Idaho Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street and from 28th to 27th: 30 feet to 28 feet
    • Colorado Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: 30 feet to 28 feet
    • Brunswick Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 27th Street: 30 feet to 28 feet
  • Stormwater treatment (underground infiltration)

Updated staff recommendations

Following the public hearing on Jan. 20, engineering staff completed additional review of the proposed street width recommendations to better understand how they would function in the context of daily operations and year-round conditions. This included conversations with fire, police and public works departments to gather department-specific feedback based on operational experience and service delivery needs. Through these discussions, it was noted that the Bronx Park Neighborhood presents unique, context-specific challenges.

Based on this interdepartmental coordination and a context-sensitive evaluation of the project, staff are recommending revisions to the street width recommendations that were presented at the Jan. 20 public hearing.

• Change: Staff recommend that all north–south streets (Kentucky, Jersey, Idaho, Colorado and Brunswick avenues) remain at their existing width of 30 feet.
• Staff recommend construction of a sidewalk on the north side of 29th Street.
• If the sidewalk on the north side of 29th Street is approved, staff recommend reducing the street width from 30 feet to 26 feet, with parking prohibited on the north side of the street. This recommendation:
  • Minimizes impacts to existing trees, driveway lengths, and adjacent private property.
  • Addresses seasonal emergency access and operational needs through posted no-parking restrictions
  • If the council does not support the construction of a sidewalk on 29th Street, staff recommends that the street remain at its current width of 30 feet.

Construction updates

• Construction start newsletter – May 19, 2026
  • Was mailed to the residents on the project and included schedule/phasing and details on what to expect during construction, along with important contact information and safety guidelines.