St. Paul City Council approves Summit Avenue Regional Trail plan
UPDATE: The St. Paul City Council voted Wednesday night to approve the Summit Avenue Regional Train plan.
Ward 7 Council Member Jane Prince was the only vote in opposition. The plan now heads to Mayor Melvin Carter for final approval.
Dozens of people packed into the Council chambers on Wednesday to speak on the proposed plan to revamp Summit Avenue.
The regional trail plan would include a raised bike path separated by a curb from the road. It would run along Summit from the Mississippi River and the Samuel H. Morgan Regional Trail.
Part of that stretch would also go from two-sided parking to one-sided.
“In my opinion, in its haste to chase dollars, the city is voting on a flawed plan driven by a very few elite bikers with no attempt to look at real consequences,” said a meeting attendee.
“Summit Avenue is an incredibly important bike route for us to get to work and school and more, including biking with our children, making this route safer with separated bike lanes is the highest priority for us,” said another attendee.
The idea is to protect bicyclists after state data shows 283 crashes on Summit Avenue between 2015 and 2019.
The city’s plan says about 220 trees would be vulnerable during construction, but critics say this project comes at the cost of a lot of mature trees and street parking.
“The design of a separate raised bike trail will cause irreparable destruction of the most beautiful piece of property in St. Paul,” said a third community member.
“This is such an important step in St. Paul’s efforts to create an affordable, safe and sustainable transportation system for families like mine,” said a St. Paul resident in favor of the plan.
If signed by Carter, the city will build a five-mile bike path on the roadway to increase safety. Construction would also start in about five years.
INITIAL REPORT: The St. Paul City Council plans to vote on approving the Summit Avenue Regional Trail plan following public comments Wednesday night.
The hearing is set to happen at 5:30 p.m. inside Room 300 in the St. Paul City Council Chambers following a recess after the regular council meeting that starts at 3:30 p.m.
Written public comments on public hearing items can be emailed to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us,
CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by calling 651-266-6805 to leave a voicemail.
Learn more about the proposed plan here.
As previously reported, St. Paul Parks and Rec officials proposed building a 4.5-mile bike path on Summit Avenue to protect bicyclists. It would include a raised bike path separated from the road by a curb.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported 283 crashes on Summit Avenue between 2015 and 2019.
Critics of the plan point out that building the bike path would knock out a number of trees that have roots growing underneath the street. The plan would also have a portion of Summit Avenue go from two-sided parking to one-sided.
If approved, construction would still be about five years out.
Related coverage:
St. Paul residents continue debate over Summit Avenue Regional Trail Plan
Summit Avenue Regional Trail plans to be discussed at Thursday night meeting
St. Paulites get first look at Summit Avenue regional trail concept