Residents and commuters on Louisiana Avenue should prepare for significant disruptions as construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 30. Park Construction, the city's contractor, will start the work between Fire Station #2 (north of Cedar Lake Road) and Wayzata Boulevard. This first phase of the project, spanning from the Fire Station to 18th Street, will launch into motion, while the second phase is expected to roll out in August, as reported by the City of St. Louis Park's bulletin.
Starting Monday, June 30, Louisiana Avenue will be closed to through traffic, an announcement that came through as the city gears up to change the face of this arterial street. The closure is projected to extend through November 2025. Motorists are advised to use the posted detour routes, which will utilize Cedar Lake Road, TH-169, and I-394 to circumvent the construction zone. Park Construction has committed to working smoothly with residents along Louisiana Avenue to ensure continued access to their properties during this period, as outlined in the initial project announcement.
The initial days of construction will witness Park Construction setting up traffic control barriers and closing Louisiana Avenue from 7 am on the start date. The start of the project will also entail the removal of street pavement, curbs, driveways, and topsoil, which is estimated to take 2-3 weeks to complete, according to the city's bulletin. Following this, the removal of tree stumps and street lighting will transform the familiar street into a work site, as the contractor prepares to install a temporary water system to maintain service during the replacement of the underground water main.
As a reminder to residents with personal enhancements in the public right-of-way, any private installations such as underground sprinklers, electric wiring, and perennial gardens within 15 feet of the curb should be removed by the property owners. "Plan on removing these items from the public right of way as soon as possible," the city's bulletin advises, cautioning that unremoved items may be unintentionally damaged during construction. As the project progresses, private utility companies are also expected to quickly relocate their services within the project area.
Understanding that the construction may cause inconvenience, the city extends its thanks to citizens for their cooperation. Specific details and updates on what to expect during the improvement process can be found in the project's dedicated newsletter and on the project website. For in-depth coverage and updates on the 2025 Louisiana Avenue Improvements as the work unfolds, residents are encouraged to stay informed by regularly checking the project's online resources.
