Pre-construction work on Franklin Avenue begins this fall

Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Minneapolis, is making it safer and easier to travel on Franking Avenue (County Road 5) in South Minneapolis.

In the weeks ahead, construction crews will be out on Franklin Avenue between Lyndale and Chicago avenues doing pre-construction work. Crews will be surveying, installing temporary poles, and removing some trees in preparation for construction scheduled to begin next year. "We strive to preserve trees whenever possible and will be planting nearly three trees for every one that we remove," say planners. "None of the trees we remove are on private property."

Private utility company crews will be doing utility work this fall and winter. Hennepin County does not do utility work. Instead power, gas, telecom, phone, and cable service providers complete this work. Contact your service provider for more information on utility work.

2026 – 2027 construction

Starting in spring 2026, crews will reconstruct Franklin Avenue between Lyndale Avenue (County Road 22) and LaSalle/Blaisdell Avenue, and between First and Chicago avenues. This work will last through fall 2026.

In 2027, crews will reconstruct Franklin Avenue between LaSalle and First avenues.

Dates are tentative and subject to change

About this project

Franklin Avenue, between Lyndale and Chicago avenues, has two lanes of traffic in each direction, aging infrastructure, off-peak parking in various locations, and no designated bikeways. When this project is complete, Franklin Avenue will have:

• A three-lane design with center turn lanes and medians at key locations
• New paths for people who walk, bike, and roll 

• Safer travel for everyone, including improved crossings for people who walk, bike, and roll 

• Improved traffic flow for transit riders and drivers 

• Improved lighting and green spaces 

Learn more on the project website.