Street work coming over next five years

The Saint Paul Department of Public Works’ draft Five-Year Capital Plan includes work on Como Avenue and streets in Frogtown and the West Midway commercial/industrial area.

City Council members’ reviews this fall of the 2027 city budget has included scrutiny of capital spending of the 2027-2031 streets plan.

Nick Peterson, city engineer, outlined streets and bridges projects for the council. The city relies on a wide range of funding. That includes city sources and programs St. Paul Streets, Common Cent sales tax and capital improvement bonds.

Outside sources drawn on include Municipal-State Aid (MSA), Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and federal dollars. St. Paul Public Works also does cost sharing projects with Ramsey County.
Peterson also reviewed 2026 projects with the council. One large area project that is still wrapping up south of the Franklin-University area is Pelham Boulevard reconstruction.

Here’s what is coming up by year. Peterson noted that later years of the five-year plan can be “squishy” as project priorities and funding change.
2027:

Como Avenue is set for work between Knapp and Commonwealth, with $1.5 million in MSA dollars. Peterson described it as a street rehabilitation project to address safety issues.

Another project set for next year is an arterial street mill and overlay in the Vandalia Avenue area. No cost estimate has been announced.
2028:

Eustis Street and Cromwell Avenue are set for work in the Territorial Road and Wabash Avenue area, with $900,000 in MSA.

Ellis Street between Transfer Road and Vandalia Avenue has street work covered by Common Cent. No dollar amount is available. Common Cent dollars totaling $2 million will be used on the Vandalia Bridge over the railroad tracks, for preconstruction planning. That project would not take place until 2030. Bridge construction costs haven’t been determined. Peterson said that area gets a lot of heavy truck traffic, and streets and bridges take a pounding.
2029:

Frogtown streets get their turn for mill and overlay work, with a project centered on Lafond and Grotto avenues. The mill and overlay budget is at $3 million.
2030:

The city will contribute $3 million in MSA funds for continued MnDOT work on Highway 280. A big project there wrapped up in late summer.

In contrast to streets plan review, less time was spent reviewing the CIB community proposals, with projects slatted in 2027 or 2028. Her’s administration didn’t change recommendations the CIB Committee made in June. Nor have City Council members brought forward changes.

Five projects were chosen from a field of 15 eligible requests. The lone area project in the budget is Westgate Commons Park shade and lighting improvements ($124,000).