Cedar Avenue reconstruction

Hennepin County is reconstructing Cedar Avenue (County Road 152) between Lake Street (County Road 3) and 24th Street in Minneapolis. 

Full-size Cedar Avenue project map (PDF, 1MB)

Construction updates

April 6-10

Forestry crews will be working along Cedar Avenue to safely remove trees located in the project area of this summer’s road construction. Be alert for brief, intermittent closures.

• We strive to preserve trees whenever possible.
• Most trees are located in the public right-of-way; we’ve contacted any affected property owners.
• Tree clearing is done in early spring to minimize harm to plants and nesting animals.
• We’ll coordinate with the City of Minneapolis to plant new trees once construction is complete.

July 6 – November

Cedar Avenue will be closed between Lake Street and 24th Street. Follow the posted detour using Lake Street, Bloomington Avenue and 24th Street or plan an alternative route.

Detour map (PDF, 1MB)

Using Cedar Avenue during construction

Cedar Avenue will close between Lake Street and 24th Street during the 2026 and 2027 construction seasons. It will reopen when work is suspended during winter. We’re working to minimize disruption during this major reconstruction.

Walking

Sidewalks on at least one side of Cedar Avenue will remain open during construction. People may be routed around active construction areas at times for safety. The pedestrian bridge over Cedar Avenue, near Little Earth, will remain open.

Biking

Cedar Avenue will be closed to bicycle traffic. 17th Avenue is a nearby designated bike boulevard, though bikes are welcome on all adjacent streets. People riding bikes will be able to cross Cedar Avenue at 26th and 28th streets, and people using the Midtown Greenway crossing beneath Cedar Avenue won’t be affected.

Transit

Bus stops will be temporarily relocated during construction. For information on affected stops, visit Metro Transit’s Rider Alerts, or contact your transit service.

Driving

Even with the Cedar Avenue closure, people will be able to drive across Cedar Avenue on 26th and 28th streets.

Living in the construction zone

If you live in the construction zone, we'll maintain access to your home. Contact the project team with any specific concerns.

Visiting a business

If construction affects access to a business, we’ll provide an alternative route. Contact the business directly to see if there’s a change in business access.

Planned improvements

When construction is complete, this section of Cedar Avenue will be updated and safer for everyone who uses it.

• A reconstructed road designed with safety in mind, featuring one lane of traffic in each direction and left turn lanes at key intersections
• New pavement for a smoother, safer road
• Upgraded paths for people walking, biking and rolling, including
  • A protected bike/shared-use path on the east side of Cedar Avenue
  • A sidewalk on the west side of Cedar Avenue
• Wider boulevards, along with medians in key locations, to calm traffic and improve safety and overall comfort for pedestrians
• New curbs and ramps at crossings for better accessibility
• Updated streetlights, modernized traffic and pedestrian signals, and improved storm sewers
• New trees planted following construction, coordinated with the City of Minneapolis

Community involvement

We met with residents, stakeholders and businesses from 2022-25 to learn how Cedar Avenue could better serve the community. The engagement efforts included focus groups, meetings with neighborhood associations, outreach to local businesses, an open house and an online survey. We used that feedback, along with technical data and city and county policies, to create the final plan for Cedar Avenue.

Engagement summary (PDF, 1MB)

Final design (PDF, 10MB)

Related projects

Franklin Avenue reconstruction--Lyndale to Chicago avenues— (Hennepin County)

Cedar Avenue safety improvements—Lake Street to 42nd Street (Hennepin County)

26th and Hiawatha Avenue traffic safety improvements (Minneapolis)

South-Folwell Safe Routes to School (Minneapolis)

Cedar Avenue repaving – Washington Avenue to 20th Avenue (Hennepin County)