St. Paul's $750-million street construction overhaul close to starting
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A 15-year project aiming to overhaul more than 40 miles of St. Paul's streets is now just weeks from breaking ground on its first phase.
The city has submitted plans for its initial redesign for a portion of Grand Avenue. Work will start in the fall and continue through November.
In 2025, the project will expand even further on Grand, before other projects begin.
It's all part of a massive infrastructure overhaul, made possible by the city's approval of a 1-cent sales tax that will generate close to $750 million to support projects citywide.
During St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter's budget presentation Tuesday, he touted the new projects.
"Less than one year, less than one year after passage, we have over 100 Common Cent projects in every corner of this city," he said.
The projects will also target improvements for both pedestrians and public transit.
"These are streets that are important to residents, and visitors, and businesses in the city and get a lot of wear and tear," said St. Paul Public Works Director Sean Kershaw. "What begins this fall is really going to be 15 years of construction to rebuild these roads throughout St. Paul, but I think the public will quickly see the outcome and the benefit for their vote and their literal investment in our street."
"It feels great as staff to know that we're not just planning projects, or thinking projects, or hoping we can do projects, but we can deliver these projects," Kershaw said.