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Council OKs MnDOT signal replacement and new sidewalk at Jordan/Cedar Lake Road, resident urges added crossing safety
Summary
Council approved a MnDOT-led signal replacement at 169/Jordan/Cedar Lake Road with a city cost share of about $561,000 and a city-paid sidewalk (~$37,000). Resident Sylvia Hyman urged MnDOT to narrow a 40-foot-plus crossing to improve safety for children; staff said crosswalk striping and a crossing guard are part of mitigation and bridge rebuild in 2035 could allow further changes.
St. Louis Park’s City Council on Feb. 17 approved a MnDOT-led signal replacement and associated sidewalk work at the 169/Jordan/Cedar Lake Road interchange, authorizing the city’s cost share and related funding sources.
Engineering director Deb Heizer said the existing signal—installed in 1988—is beyond its expected service life and MnDOT proposed replacement work that includes reducing lane widths on the bridge to create shoulders and a sidewalk on the east side of the ramp. Heizer said the city’s cost-share obligation for the project is about $561,000, to be funded from state aid, water utility funds (for hydrant and stormwater work) and general-obligation bond proceeds for the sidewalk. She estimated the sidewalk portion would cost "a little short of $37,000." The project is planned for construction in 2026.
Resident Sylvia Hyman testified in support of adding a sidewalk but warned that MnDOT’s current design would create a crossing distance of more than 40 feet from Jordan Avenue to Park Spanish Immersion Elementary, and urged the city to press MnDOT for a narrowed crossing or a refuge island to improve safety for children. Hyman said she has been engaged with MnDOT on the issue for years.
Council members discussed additional safety measures, including the possibility of prohibiting right turns on red, adding signage, and ensuring crosswalk markings and crossing guards. Heizer said the plans include new crosswalk paint on the east and north legs and that further modifications would likely require a bridge reconstruction, currently scheduled for 2035.
City manager Kim clarified that the motion before the council was to adopt the agreement as drafted; council approved the resolution as presented.
