Detours

Washington Avenue Bridge over Mississippi River:

Start Date: September 2008

End Date: April 17^th, 2009

The bike lanes on the Washington Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River have reopened. Last fall, Hennepin County eliminated the bike lanes due to concerns over the strength of the upper deck of the bridge. As of April 17^th, the upper deck has been enhanced structurally, and bicyclists and pedestrians have full use of this area.

Two bikeway closures are currently affecting bicycle travel:

Marquette & 2^nd Avenues in Downtown:

Start Date: September 2008

End Date: Late 2009

Bike lanes on both streets have now been eliminated. Alternative detour routes (pdf) are on Hennepin Avenue (bike lanes) and 3^rd Avenue (no bike lanes).

One lane of traffic is open to traffic on sections of Marquette and 2^nd Avenues for property access. This lane is currently unpaved in several blocks. Bicyclists are allowed to use these lanes, however it is recommended that bicyclists use other routes where possible. Please use extra caution when bicycling through this area. Here are a few tips to keep you safe:

• Travel slowly in unpaved areas and stay within the area designated for traffic.
• Always ride with the flow of traffic.
• Stay visible by not riding in the gutter. Ride where the right wheel of a car would be.
• Follow traffic signals, and signal turns and lane changes.
• If you would rather be on the sidewalk, walk your bicycle. Sidewalk riding is prohibited in the downtown business district. Many sidewalks are closed to through traffic on Marquette and 2^nd.
• Read more about defensive bicycling.

When Marquette and 2^nd Avenues reopen, the bike lanes will no longer exist. At that time the Nicollet Mall bus lanes will be reopened to cycling traffic 24 hours a day. For more information on this project, visit the MARQ2 project website.

Cedar Lake Trail On-Street Route through Downtown:

Start Date: 2007

End Date: Late 2009

Due to the construction of the Twins Stadium and the Hiawatha Light Rail extension, cyclists riding between the end of the Cedar Lake Trail and West River Parkway (through the Warehouse District) have been detoured from the old on-street route. When the last phase of the Cedar Lake Trail is constructed in 2009, the on-street route will no longer be needed.

View a map of the detour route (pdf). Detailed directions follow:

Northeast Bound:

Start: Downtown Termini of the Cedar Lake Trail

Travel east on Glenwood Avenue (2 blocks)
Continue forward on 2^nd Avenue N @ 7^th Street N (6 blocks)
Turn left on 2^nd Street N (2 blocks)
Turn right on 4^th Avenue N (3 blocks)

Arrive: West River Parkway @ 4^th Avenue N

Southwest Bound:

Start: West River Parkway @ 4^th Avenue N

Travel southwest on 4^th Avenue N (2 blocks)
Turn left on 1^st Street N (4 blocks)
Turn right on Hennepin Avenue (11 blocks)
Turn right on 11^th Street N (2 blocks)
Continue forward on 12^th Street N @ Currie Avenue (1 block)

Arrive: Downtown Termini of the Cedar Lake Trail