Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined Council Members and City and business leaders to announce the completion of Phase 1 of the Hennepin Ave. S construction project. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 26, the busy Uptown corridor, from W Lake St. to W 26th St., will officially reopen with a new, multimodal design that improves space and enhances accessibility for people walking, riding transit, biking, and driving.
The newly redesigned street includes infrastructure upgrades and space for future METRO E Line stations, improving the overall flow of traffic while promoting safer and more efficient transit. Key improvements include:
- Replacement of 14 water lead service lines, 2,127 ft. of sanitary sewer
- New signal and lighting systems
- New electrical infrastructure installed by Xcel Energy
- New gas main & service upgrades installed by CenterPoint Energy
“It’s been 50 years since this road was reconstructed, and the completion means we’re clearing the way for small and local businesses to revitalize the corridor,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “This milestone also means it just got a whole lot easier to visit your favorite local shops – go visit them! With the holidays just around the corner, I’m excited for residents and visitors to rediscover the energy, creativity and community spirit that makes Uptown a Minneapolis treasure.”
Next steps
Buses will resume their regular routes on Wednesday, November 27. Beginning December 2025, the METRO E Line will bring faster and more reliable service to the Route 6 corridor, along with enhanced stations that include real-time signs, ticket machines, light, and heat. A combination of off-board fare payment, wider stop spacing, bus lanes, and the use of technology that gives buses a better chance of getting a green light at signaled intersections will streamline service. Three E Line stations (Hennepin/Franklin, Hennepin/25th, Uptown Transit Station) are being built on the reconstructed Hennepin Ave. S.
“Uptown has endured a lot over these past few years, and it is exciting to officially mark the halfway point of implementation for this major reinvestment,” said Council Member Katie Cashman. “I look forward to continuing the work of securing programmatic resources for safety, small business support, the arts, and community planning efforts to ensure this new streetscape lays a foundation for Uptown’s transformative next chapter.”
City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher praised the City teams that helped get the project finished on time and on budget.
“From getting stations to support Bus Rapid Transit to replacing lead service lines and a new lighting system, getting this first phase done is a big deal for Uptown and everyone who travels on Hennepin,” said Anderson Kelliher. “Thanks to a lot of collaboration across City staff and cooperation and feedback from small businesses along the corridor, we are wrapping phase one on schedule and on budget.”
Phase 2 begins in the spring
Construction work for Phase 2 will begin in the Spring, extending from W 26th St. north to Douglas Ave. Much of the work done in Phase 1 will continue, including safety enhancements, utility upgrades, stormwater treatment, and more. The City’s Project team will build on the effective communication strategies from Phase 1 as well as strengthening outreach to corridor stakeholders as the next phase begins.
Upon completion of Hennepin Ave. S, the corridor will feature modernized infrastructure, improved pedestrian safety, fill a bicycle network gap, provide more efficient and reliable transit service, and incorporate green stormwater infrastructure improvements.
“The completion of this project is nearly six decades in the making,” said Public Works Director Tim Sexton. “Projects like these are necessary to replace aging infrastructure and improve safety and mobility. In the long run, it’s such a benefit to residents, visitors and businesses.”
More information about the Uptown construction projects can be found on the City's Projects page.