26th / 28th Streets in South Minneapolis

[froggie]

Not to mention the Franklin ramp to 35W northbound is the root cause behind the weave from 94 east to 35W north to 94 east again. If that ramp was gone, there could be a directional ramp from 35W north to the right hand side of 94 east, eliminating the weave.

Previous renditions of the project rebuilt the Franklin onramp so that it no longer went to 94 East…only to 35W North. In addition, a new 35W north to 94 east ramp would be built, passing underneath the Franklin ramp and using the same entrance to 94 East as the existing Franklin ramp.

But the latest project layout from last month (part of the public meeting back on the 19th) no longer has any changes to the Franklin ramp. I wonder why...

[mulad]

Huh. I didn't know about 5th being backed up that much. The presentation boards from the meeting I went to suggested that backups only routinely extended to 22nd during evening peak.

[froggie]

I came up with a series of suggested cross-sections for 26th and 28th that I think will work:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajfroggie ... 339985689/

[David Greene]

I came up with a series of suggested cross-sections for 26th and 28th that I think will work:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajfroggie ... 339985689/

Nice work! Anecdotally, a lot of people turn from 28th onto Blaisdell, so though the traffic volumes make it look like 28th west of Blaisdell is as traffic-heavy as eastward, it isn't really true. There's even a lane drop there. It's true that even more people turn at Lyndale, reducing traffic even further, but I think we could make 26th and 28th two-way between Blaisdell and Lyndale.

[twincitizen]

I think we could make 26th and 28th two-way between Blaisdell and Lyndale.

I would like to see that happen eventually as well.

Remember, 26th between Blaisdell and Lyndale is 40'. 28th in that same section is 36'. Also, I think you meant 26th St, not 28th, in the first part of your post.

[David Greene]

Also, I think you meant 26th St, not 28th, in the first part of your post.

Duh. Yep I meant 26th.

[froggie]

https://streets.mn/2014/08/04/refining-a ... h-streets/

[twincitizen]

Good open house last night. Important to remember that only 35W to Hiawatha is being resurfaced and restriped in 2015. West of 35W is being discussed for planning purposes only, though obviously whatever bike facilities are added will have to be somewhat consistent.

I'm happy to report that none of the proposed sections would keep those nasty 4-lane sections on 28th.

As far as two-way streets in The Wedge, that discussion is going to have to happen in the neighborhood first, as city staff aren't even considering it. They know it is desired, but I think it will take a strong push from Wedge residents to get them to put it on the table and study it.

The 3rd and final open house is in 3 weeks. Wednesday, August 27 at 6pm at the Swedish Institute. Please do attend and comment.

[mattaudio]

I'd really like to see Froggie's idea for a two-way 28th Street near 35W to facilitate egress from WF/Allina/etc to freeways without excess neighborhood circulation. Coupled with this, I'd also love to see the 35W interchange move to a split diamond 28th/Lake rather than Lake/31st... it would save money on the braid ramp to 28th, help weaving slightly between 31st/35th, and allow 31st to function as a stronger bike/walk/car connection between neighborhoods without all the 35W-bound traffic in the way. It would also significantly help the neighborhood as people could get on 35W/EB94 via 28th Street rather than driving up 5th Ave (perpetually clogged) to the Franklin entrance. Here's an old concept of mine: http://goo.gl/maps/pziCq I hope we don't lose this opportunity.

[twincitizen]

coupled with this, I'd also love to see the 35W interchange move to a split diamond 28th/Lake rather than Lake/31st

Well, we both know that isn't happening, as the 35-Lake Transit Access project has been in development for two decades and is finally moving into construction in 2017. I'm not sure why you continue to waste keystrokes on something that you can be 100% sure isn't happening. It's a distraction. Let's focus on the actual projects at hand and work to make them better.

[mattaudio]

These things are fluid until the shovel hits the ground, and even then they can still change. Not too long ago the plan was to move the 35th/36th split diamond to 38th.

[woofner]

Did they mention if they were going to put the design concepts online anywhere? They don't appear to be on the awkward, intentionally-limited public input site.

[seanrichardryan]

These things are fluid until the shovel hits the ground, and even then they can still change. Not too long ago the plan was to move the 35th/36th split diamond to 38th.

Which would have served the neighborhoods better.

[mattaudio]

Yep, but it was spendy compared to keeping the 35th/36th split diamond. I guess the only likely way a project changes late in the game is when money gets tight.

[froggie]

Matt's desire to move the 31st/Lake interchange to Lake/28th is laudable, but has too many technical problems. The biggest killer: moving the 31st ramps to Lake would require either closing 31st St at I-35W or digging 31st St to be below ground, which would definitely impact the two houses on the corner of 31st and 2nd. A northbound on-ramp from 28th *MIGHT* be possible, but a southbound off-ramp to 28th wouldn't...it would impact 3rd Ave and homes along both 3rd and 2nd Ave. A southbound off-ramp to 26th might be possible, but then those cars would have to use Stevens to get down to 28th (or Lake), or we'd be dealing with conversion issues on 26th as well.

Also, since there's no longer a northbound on-ramp from Lake St being considered, there's no longer a "braided ramp" situation with the northbound off-ramp to 28th.

[David Greene]

Good open house last night.

Good to see you there!

I'm happy to report that none of the proposed sections would keep those nasty 4-lane sections on 28th.

Wasn't so clear to me. I specifically asked about the five-lane section around Wells Fargo and was met with, "I don't know."

As far as two-way streets in The Wedge, that discussion is going to have to happen in the neighborhood first, as city staff aren't even considering it. They know it is desired, but I think it will take a strong push from Wedge residents to get them to put it on the table and study it.

People in the Wedge who want this definitely need to organize. I am pretty confident that given a good push, we can make it happen. The main objection from staff seems to be, "the traffic studies cost too much."