France Avenue improvements

Proposed restriping of France Avenue

As part of Hennepin County’s repaving project on France Avenue (County Road 17) between Excelsior Boulevard and 44th Street, striping options were considered to meet the current and future needs of people using this corridor. County staff completed a comprehensive review to evaluate all needs and constraints along France Avenue.

As a result of the county’s evaluation and the feedback from public engagement, county staff recommend only minor striping revisions along France Avenue to enhance safety and preserve on-street parking.

Changes to the striping along the corridor include

Narrower vehicle lanes to enhance safety
Painted medians
Ground-in durable striping

Although on-road bike lanes were considered as an option, width constraints pose a challenge to a continuous bike facility along the corridor. In addition, current use and upcoming transit enhancements with Metro Transit’s upcoming E Line Arterial Bus Rapid Transit project led to prioritizing accessibility and mobility for people walking and taking transit along the corridor.

Future changes to France Avenue corridor

Public involvement

Engaging with the community

Past events

As Hennepin County prepares for “mill and overlay” on France Avenue, county staff completed a comprehensive review to evaluate needs, possibilities and constraints along France Avenue. As part of this effort, staff attended the following events to inform residents about the repaving project and listen to comments and feedback on the striping options on France Avenue.

Linden Hills (Minneapolis) on July 5
Morningside (Edina) neighborhood association board members on July 14
Fulton (Minneapolis) neighborhood residents on July 26
St. Louis Park City Hall on July 28

Staff also received public comments through a variety of means including an online comment form, phone calls and emails.

At meetings, staff discussed the current conditions along France Avenue and asked for feedback on potential changes to the roadway. Participants expressed a range of views based on their current experiences using the corridor.

Among the top issues discussed was safety. Residents expressed a concern about high driving speeds on France Avenue and worry about including facilities for people biking. Some people who ride bikes regularly mentioned that they currently avoid France Avenue as a biking route and would continue to do so even if future improvements only included standard bike lanes. Some expressed a desire for a protected bike facility.

Residents also expressed concerns with the safety at several intersections along the corridor. People walking, rolling, and biking who attempt to cross France Avenue are having difficulties due to high speeds and erratic driving behavior. Finally, residents and business owners asked for consideration of accessibility and health service provider's needs that are currently utilizing the on-street parking in the area.

This feedback, along with comments received through the project website comment form, emails from stakeholders, and a review of related planning documents, was used by county staff to develop a recommendation.

Online engagement summary

406 online comments/emails were received on the project.

The top three topics mentioned were:

Safety improvements
Accessibility impacts
Effect on businesses

Project leadership

Hennepin County

Joshua Jansen, EIT
Project manager
joshua.jansen@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-596-0421