Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Overview

Via an October 1 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department will be constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis. This project is anticipated to be completed in Summer of 2023.

The new tunnel will be constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River will be expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Latest project news

• The east lane of 4th Ave S between 3rd St S and Washington Ave will be temporarily closed starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, October 4. This closure is needed to install a temporary dewatering well. This work is anticipated to take 2-3 weeks to complete.
  • The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S will be temporarily closed while the well is being installed. Pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S. 
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection will remain open. 
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S will remain open. There may be short-term delays while crews move equipment and materials around the area. 
    
    
• There will be an overnight closure of 2nd Ave S between Washington Ave and 2nd St from 7 p.m. Thursday, October 7 to 6 a.m. Friday, October 8. This closure is needed to lay pipe across the road. Access to properties off 2nd Ave S will be maintained. 
  • The week of October 11, traffic on 2nd Ave S will switch to a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Avenue and 1st St S. 
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S will remain open. There may be short-term access delays while switching traffic.
    
    
• Work will soon begin near the Washington Ave and Hennepin Ave intersection. Starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, October 4, the north sidewalk along Washington Ave will be closed between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall. The contractor will be utilizing an existing shaft to perform work for connecting the existing tunnel to the new tunnel. This sidewalk will reopen in spring 2022. 
  • During this work, pedestrians will share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave will remain open.
    
    
• Work continues at the Mississippi River portal site. Crews are working on removing a retaining wall in preparation of the excavation work that will begin in mid-October.
  • The parking lot off Portland Ave east of the Stone Arch Bridge, near the Mill Ruins Park, is temporarily closed for winter and will reopen Spring 2022. This closure is necessary to complete the work in this area safely and efficiently. 
  • The parking lot near Portland Ave and W River Pkwy remains open.
    
    
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
  
  
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Stay connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates:

https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418