A small group of bicyclists and walkers gathered July 30 as the Minneapolis Public Works Department celebrated the opening of new bike and pedestrian trails in the heart of the East Bank business neighborhood.
Cyclists took a ride on the newly designated bike trail going up Hennepin Avenue and back down First Avenue.
Free ice cream and a short speech were available at a small park at Hennepin and Main Street.
The project was a collaboration of the Public Works department, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and Metro Transit. Hennepin County was the lead agency in the project.
“We can do a lot of great things when we work together,” said Luke Hanson, senior transportation planner for Public Works and the lead engineer for the project.
“We have created a safe place to walk and to bicycle while still promoting local businesses and the economy,” Hanson said.
Colin Cox, a spokesperson for Hennepin County, said the project provides a better connection between downtown and Northeast Minneapolis.
The project cost about $20 million and involved work on Hennepin and First Avenues, from Main to 8th Street. The work includes better crossings, boulevards, wider sidewalks and protection for bicyclists. The project also created a priority bus lane on Hennepin. Trees were planted.
The project started in 2020 and continued through 2023. Construction was completed last year.
The new segment will connect with other trails in the area, improving the connection between the East Side and the rest of the city.
The project also included closing a segment of 5th Street to improve pedestrian safety.
A group of about a dozen bicyclists toured the project and then returned for ice cream, free bike bells and free bike lights.