Traffic camera pilot program launches
As of October 1, the City of Minneapolis is using traffic safety cameras to enforce speed limits at five intersections. The locations are in downtown Minneapolis, Near North, Kingfield/Tangletown, Ventura Village and Northeast. The Northeast location is at 18th Avenue “near Central Ave NE,” according to an email from the City. Each intersection has signage letting drivers know there is camera enforcement at the location.
Locations were chosen in the City’s traffic camera location analysis, which “looked at crash history, speeds, proximity to schools, community feedback, and other factors.” The report can be viewed at https://bit.ly/MPLSTrafficCameras.
According to the email, “Public Works anticipates adding more speed cameras and adding red light cameras early next year. The City has identified an additional 11 locations as high priorities for future expansion.” The cameras are currently under a pilot period, which will run through June 2029.
If the cameras catch drivers speeding, a warning is first issued. Second-time offenders will receive a fine ranging from $40 to $80 depending on how much they were exceeding the speed limit.
“People who receive a violation will be able to go to a secure website (https://bit.ly/SpeedingViolation) run by the City’s traffic safety camera vendor, NovoaGlobal®, to see video of the violation. They will also be able to submit information directly through that website if they think the citation should be dismissed. This will allow people to address most cases without having to do a court hearing. As with any traffic citation, people will pay fines through the Courts and also can schedule a hearing to contest the citation.”
The Plymouth Avenue Bridge opened on October 3. An underpass was created for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross 8th Avenue NE without encountering automobiles. (MPRB)
Plymouth Ave. Bridge opens after delays
by Mark Peterson
The Plymouth Avenue Bridge, closed since April 21, opened for pedestrian, cycle and auto traffic on Friday, October 3. The original completion date was August 22, but delays due to conditions discovered during excavations added around six weeks to the work.
The project was done by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB), which manages the walking path between Boom Island Park and Graco Park. The plan was to connect the path between the two parks with a new pedestrian bridge over the Boom Island marina with an underpass on the east bank side of the bridge’s foundation.
Before the project, pedestrians had to cross Plymouth Avenue at the base of the bridge while encountering auto traffic. Early into the excavation, unexpected soil conditions called for additional structural support, resulting in the delay. Other scheduled bridge maintenance was performed during the closure.
Plymouth Avenue in Minneapolis is a Municipal State Aid street — a road designated and maintained by the city, with state aid provided for improvements — rather than a highway managed directly by the state.
While the bridge is open for traffic, the underpass is getting its finishing touches, and is still a few weeks out from completion. A grand opening event will take place in fall 2025.