HomeMy WebLinkAboutENG - France Ave Construction1
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • jgilgenbach@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Construction to Begin on Edina’s France Avenue
Edina, Minn., March 27, 2013 – The City of Edina on Monday, April 7, will start preparing France Avenue
between Highway 62 and Interstate 494 for construction to improve key intersections for pedestrians and
bicyclists. The $4.09 million project will be in full swing later in April.
“This area of France Avenue in the Southdale area is very difficult for pedestrians and bikers to navigate,” said
Chad Millner, the City’s Engineering Director. “More than 30,000 vehicles travel this road every day. Between
the high traffic volume, speed and lane width, trying to walk across France Avenue is very intimidating.”
The City hopes to make it easier to get up and down France Avenue by making improvements at three key
intersections along the corridor – at 66th, 70th and 76th streets. At these intersections, improvements such
as ADA-compliant accommodations, pedestrian-level lighting and planters, and median refuge islands, the
space between the northbound and southbound lanes where pedestrians may need to wait, will be installed.
In addition, the project will provide missing sidewalk connections on the east side of France Avenue, ensuring
that all areas on both sides of France Avenue have an opportunity to access one of the planned crossing
locations. To allow for these improvements, driving lanes will be narrowed and free right-turn islands
removed.
“The goal is to make it safer and more efficient for pedestrians and bicyclists to get from point A to point B in
the greater Southdale area,” Millner said. “By making these improvements, traveling by foot or bike will be
easier.”
Beginning April 7, those who travel the corridor will see the early stages of construction. Temporary traffic
signals will be installed in preparation of the start of construction around April 14, weather permitting.
Construction on the intersections will be done in three phases: in the area between Gallagher Drive and 69th
Street, followed by the area between 66th and 69th streets, and finishing with the area between Gallagher
Drive and 76th Street. At times during construction, France Avenue will be reduced to two lanes.
“We will do our best to minimize disruption to those who travel France Avenue, but delays should be
expected,” Millner said. The City encourages drivers to use alternate routes when possible to avoid delays.
For additional information on this project, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/FranceAvenue or contact the City’s on-site
representative, Andrew Plowman, at 763-287-7149 or aplowman@webeng.com.
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