Client: Hennepin County

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Services Provided: Preliminary Design, Final Design, Construction

Project Team: Arvidson, Marusenko, Seaman, Porter

What made the Lowry Avenue project so rewarding is that it was not a typical road construction in which a road is widened to accommodate more traffic. Instead, we worked closely with Hennepin County to actually eliminate one lane of traffic on 1.75 miles of this heavily used corridor. Using a traffic model, we proved that the elimination of this lane could actually be accomplished without reducing Lowry Avenue’s existing — or future — traffic volume capabilities.

One of the brick monuments at the intersection of Lowry Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue. Click to view larger image.

Our work on the project included the complete reconstruction of the roadway from Girard Ave to Interstate 94 in order to facilitate addition of left turn lanes, on-street bicycle lanes, raised median island, parking bays, and bus turn-outs. Design services included detail plans for roadway geometrics, bituminous surfacing, concrete pavement design, storm sewer design, landscaping, signal design, and lighting. We also provided on-site coordination, inspection and management services.

But perhaps the project’s signature element was the inclusion of extensive street landscaping and environmental artwork along the avenue. Although this was a disruptive project for the corridor’s many residents and business owners, we worked closely with those affected to answer questions and ensure that their needs and concerns were heard. In the end, these strong relationships were an important contributing factor to the success and beauty of the project.

Sample Plansheets. Click to view larger images.