Fridley, city unveil $1 million Safe Routes to School trail; utility work prompts safety meeting

Fridley school and city officials on April 7 outlined a Metropolitan Council-funded Safe Routes to School project that will build a new shared-use trail along 61st Avenue, new ADA-compliant crossings and enhanced pedestrian crossings at Seventh Street and Mississippi Avenue.

The project, awarded up to $1 million through the Metropolitan Council active transportation grant program with a 20% local match from the city, will construct an 8–10-foot two-way asphalt trail, ADA ramps at crossings and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at key crossings, city presenters told the school board. City staff said the work will be staged so the portion in front of the middle school begins after school ends, and the city aims for substantial completion by the end of August ahead of the next school year.

"We have some intersection improvements at the intersection of Seventh Street and Mississippi where the new roundabout went in last fall," the city presenter said, outlining the project elements. The presentation included plans to extend the trail along the north side of 61st from University Avenue East Service Road to West Mor Lake Drive, continue the 7th Street trail to Mississippi Street and add a midblock bump-out between Commons Park and the community center to shorten crossing distances.

During questions from the board, members asked whether curb bump-outs would eliminate on-street parking. The city answered that on-street parking would be retained in front of Commons Park and that bump-outs would be limited to the area north of Commons Park on the east side.

Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lewis raised an urgent coordination issue distinct from the project design: CenterPoint Energy crews had narrowed arrival lanes near campus but were not actively working at the time and had not provided advance notice. "This is an unworkable situation right now," Lewis said, noting buses, vans, student drivers and caregivers were all affected and that the district had requested CenterPoint representatives be on site during arrival the next morning.

City staff said they would continue to coordinate with the district and with utilities, and that weekly project updates and a project web page will be available. The city emphasized that permit stipulations require contractors to notify the city so schools and residents can be informed before work that affects traffic.

The board did not take a vote on the project at the meeting; city staff said the contractor has been identified and that construction was anticipated to begin in May, subject to coordination with schools and Commons Park events.