Saint Paul staff recommend converting one-block stretch of Margaret Street back to two‑way for bike boulevard alignment

Saint Paul Public Works presented a staff report recommending that a single one‑way block of Margaret Street, between East Seventh Street and Arcade Street, be converted to two‑way traffic to better align with the city's bike boulevard designation and to simplify signage.

Evan Maron (traffic engineering) told council the block is 30 feet wide and has historically been two‑way before a 2016 temporary conversion. Maron described physical safety investments at the adjacent East Seventh intersection since 2016, including curb extensions, a marked crosswalk, a median and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon. "The safety improvements at Seventh and Margaret have also been really significant in the past few years, which, we think will really help with any potential conflicts that could arise from the conversion back to two‑way," Maron said.

Public Works said the conversion would reduce confusing signage such as "one way except bikes" and make bicycle navigation more intuitive along the city bike boulevard. Staff reported neighborhood outreach including distributed flyers and a presentation to the Dayton's Bluff District Council and said concerns about street width, sight distance and cut‑through traffic were discussed. Maron said the street's narrow width is not unique in the city and that two‑way operation can slow vehicle speeds when parking creates friction.

Council President Naker took a motion to lay the matter over to Aug. 20 for a public hearing and second reading. "Any other questions or comments? Otherwise, I'll take a motion from Ms. Johnson to lay this matter over till next week for a public hearing," Naker said; the council voted 6‑0 to lay over the ordinance to Aug. 20. Public Works noted that implementation could coincide with a forthcoming 2025 residential mill and overlay project that would provide striping and signing work.