Transportation CommissionItem 5.a.Discussed
Hennepin County - Nicollet Avenue Construction Preview
Hennepin County Project Manager Stan Lim presented the construction schedule for Nicollet Avenue reconstruction: work on the south end (70th-77th streets) runs June 1 to November 2026, and work on the north end (66th-70th streets) runs April-October 2027. Planned improvements include roundabouts at 67th, 70th, 73rd, and 76th streets, new sidewalks and separated bike paths on both sides, and wider green boulevards. No commission action was taken, as this was an informational update.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
New roundabouts, wider sidewalks, and separated bike paths are meant to make Nicollet Avenue safer for walking, biking, and driving once construction finishes in fall 2027.
Concern to consider
Construction running June 2026 through fall 2027 will bring detours, temporary road closures at 73rd and 76th streets during roundabout work, and rough or gravel surfaces near homes and businesses.
What happens next: Construction on the south section (70th-77th) begins June 1, 2026; pre-construction outreach to residents and businesses begins in May 2026.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 5.b.Outcome pendingYour input welcome
Hennepin County - Penn Avenue Open House 3 Material Review
Hennepin County and consultant staff presented draft Phase 3 public engagement materials for the Penn Avenue (CSAH 32) reconstruction, including three bikeway cross-section options, intersection treatment alternatives at 75th, 69th, and 64th streets, and parking configuration options south of 66th Street. The recommended action was to approve these materials for use at the May 19, 2026 Open House at Richfield Middle School, ahead of a fall 2026 planned City Council resolution and a targeted spring 2028 construction start.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Design options under review include dedicated bike facilities, better crosswalks, and green infrastructure meant to fix a corridor a 2021 study found unsafe for walking and biking.
Concern to consider
Options like roundabouts or signal changes at 64th, 69th, and 75th streets could affect property access and on-street parking, especially in the Penn-Central business district.
What happens next: Open House #3 will be held May 19, 2026 from 4:30-7:00pm at Richfield Middle School; virtual engagement runs May 5 through July 10, 2026, followed by a City Council Work Session on July 28, 2026 and a planned Council resolution in fall 2026.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 5.c.Discussed
Sidewalk Projects Update
Staff gave a status update on three 2026 sidewalk projects: the Sheridan Hills Safe Routes to School project (contract awarded April 28, construction June 8-September 25, 2026); the 73rd Street sidewalk, 90% designed but undergoing a formal Met Council scope change to swap new sidewalk for trail rehab, pushing construction to September-October 2026; and the 64th Street sidewalk near Nicollet Avenue, on hold because the railroad will not allow a new crossing due to a track switch. No action was taken, as this was an informational update.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Three sidewalk projects aim to fill gaps in walking routes, including a Safe Routes to School project at Sheridan Hills breaking ground June 8, 2026.
Concern to consider
The 64th Street sidewalk near Nicollet Avenue is stalled indefinitely because the railroad refuses to allow a new crossing at that location.
What happens next: Sheridan Hills SRTS construction begins June 8, 2026; the 73rd Street scope change goes before the Transportation Advisory Board on May 20, 2026; the 64th Street project remains on hold pending railroad negotiations.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Transportation CommissionItem 5.d.Discussed
Regional Solicitation Update
Staff previewed the upcoming Met Council Regional Solicitation grant cycle, which opens applications May 7 through June 25, 2026, offering $240 million in federal roadway/regional trail funding and $50 million in state Active Transportation funding. Richfield plans to apply for projects including roadway modernization on 76th Street west of Penn and 77th Street from Portland to Richfield Parkway, a safety project at 76th and Newton, a 73rd Street Trail segment from 35W to Lyndale, a 68th Street sidewalk from Lyndale to Nicollet, a Middle School Safe Routes to School project at 74th and Oliver, and a Bicycle Master Plan update. No action was taken, as this was an informational update.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Key figure: $240M — Total regional federal funding available for roadway and regional trail projects in this Met Council solicitation cycle
Potential benefit
If Richfield's applications succeed, the city could win a share of $240M in federal and $50M in state funding to pay for road modernization, a new 73rd Street trail, a 68th Street sidewalk, and a Middle School Safe Routes to School project without relying solely on local tax dollars.
Concern to consider
Funding is competitive and not guaranteed; if the city isn't awarded grants, some planned projects like the 68th Street sidewalk or 73rd Street Trail could be delayed or need local funding instead.
What happens next: Grant applications open May 7, 2026 and close June 25, 2026; awarded funding would support projects planned for construction years 2027-2031.
Sources: Transportation Commission agenda (city portal) ↗