Blake Road Corridor Study

The City of Hopkins led a corridor study for Blake Road/Aquila Avenue to plan for changing transportation needs due to the construction of the Southwest LRT Green Line Extension.

The study area extended from 36th Street in St. Louis Park to Interlachen Boulevard in Edina.

The study was completed in partnership with the Cities of Edina and St. Louis Park, Three Rivers Park District, Hennepin County, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the Southwest LRT Project Office and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

Address Infrastructure Needs

The study is intended to address infrastructure needs in order to:

• Provide better transportation accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists and bus transit
• Provide better connections and access to the planned light rail station at Blake Road and 2nd Street for all modes
• Provide better connections and access to adjacent neighborhoods, commercial nodes and recreational facilities
• Provide the necessary transportation infrastructure to support redevelopment in and near the corridor that will enhance economic growth, community connectivity, and residential diversity.

Technical Advisory Committee

The study was guided by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with representatives from each of the partner agencies listed above.

City Council Approves Final Recommendations For Blake Road

The Hopkins City Council approved the four lane design for Blake Road in May 2015. Initial utility work is scheduled to begin in 2017 with road reconstruction scheduled for 2018.

For more information, view the Blake Road Corridor Final Recommendations (PDF) slides from the meeting.

Goals & Objectives

The TAC developed goals and objectives to guide the study. These were the basis for developing and evaluating potential alternatives:

• Facilitate access to future Southwest LRT Blake Road station for residents/workers in Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina
• Create a corridor that is comfortable, safe, and functional for all modes: pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, freight, and transit
• Facilitate redevelopment and support a vibrant corridor
• Enhance natural resources adjacent to the corridor
• Improve access to and connectivity across TH 7
• Improve connections between the corridor and adjacent neighborhoods, parks, and trails
• Conduct technical analyses of existing and future corridor issues and needs, including:
  • Traffic operations
  • Safety for all modes
  • Business access locations
  • Bicycle facilities
  • Sidewalks
  • Pedestrian and bicycle crossings
  • Connectivity to the future Southwest LRT Blake Road station
  • Connectivity to adjacent neighborhoods, parks, and trails
• Generate and evaluate alternative concepts that address established goals for the corridor
• Develop an implementation plan that coordinates improvements with other projects
• Involve stakeholders in the planning process to obtain community and agency agreement and to ensure that study recommendations reflect the needs and desires of residents in the corridor
• Identify grant programs to support implementation of study recommendations
• Develop roadway improvement concepts in time to apply for grants