Updated Lyndale Design Released: Take Action Now for Critical Improvements
Thanks to dedicated advocacy from our Livable Lyndale campaign, Hennepin County has abandoned a misguided and chaotic design for the reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue South. The updated design makes promising progress toward improving the safety and comfort of people biking, walking, rolling, and taking public transit along this critical corridor. And, we need to continue to call on the county for critical adjustments to the plan before it’s finalized.
Launched in 2023 and led by local Move Minnesota staff and volunteers, Livable Lyndale has mobilized powerful community support for a street design that puts people first. Together we’ve advocated for a Lyndale where it is easy to bus, bike, walk, and roll so that a once-in-a-generation reconstruction of this vibrant Minneapolis street will cultivate neighborhood connection, boost local businesses, and safeguard our climate future. Through consistent public rallies and the collection of over 2,400 petition signatures, 1,550 postcards, and 250 personal stories, our advocacy has had a big impact on the project.
The updated design takes exciting steps toward the vision we’ve advocated for, including a two-way protected bike lane and dedicated bus lanes throughout parts of the corridor, wider sidewalks with patios for businesses, and green boulevards. These improvements will help create the space needed for people to safely travel along Lyndale and enjoy their time out and about connecting with neighbors or patronizing local shops and restaurants. Importantly, the design is a major upgrade from the previously proposed shared use path, which would have crowded people walking, rolling, and biking into one shared lane.
But Hennepin County’s plan is missing key elements to protect the safety of people biking, walking, and rolling through one of the city’s most hazardous corridors—despite the county’s own goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on county roads. The bike lane ends partway through the project at W 28th St, forcing people who bike to choose between navigating pedestrian traffic and crowding into a road designed for cars. And, the Lyndale and W Lake St intersection, which records the highest number of car crashes with pedestrians in the county, is still wide open to dangerous collisions.
When I’m crossing Lyndale, I feel like I’m crossing a small highway. I want the Lyndale area to feel like a cool neighborhood area with large sidewalks for restaurants to put tables out on, slow traffic, and less parking lots.
Anna P.
Lyndale resident
Route 4 bus riders deserve quick, convenient transit across Lyndale, but the design includes just two blocks of dedicated bus lanes and three blocks of a vague “future transit ready lane” that’s currently designated for parking. Adding a dedicated, all-day bus lane throughout the corridor is essential to improve the speed and reliability of service, prepare for the coming Lyndale Bus Rapid Transit Line, and work toward mobility justice for the people with low incomes, people of color, and people with disabilities who disproportionately rely on public transit in our metro region.
We know our voices have made a difference in this project! Let’s hold Hennepin County accountable to their commitment to prioritizing walking, rolling, biking, and taking transit above car travel and make sure the final design reflects community demands so that Lyndale is a safer and more welcoming destination for all.
Please share comments with Hennepin County by April 24, telling them the final design must:
- extend the two-way, protected bike lane from W Franklin Ave to W 31st St
- include a dedicated, all-day bus lane from W Franklin Ave to W 31st St
- plan for bus lanes from day 1 instead of “future transit ready lanes”
- ensure Lyndale is safe, enjoyable, and accessible for people walking and rolling by separating all sidewalks from bike and bus lanes and designing for pedestrian safety at all intersections, especially at the Lyndale and W Lake St intersection
Speak up now to demand critical improvements before the plan gets sent to City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County leaders for approval later this summer. Make your voice heard by April 24!