Strategy 6 Induce regional mode shift by prioritizing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities and operations into capital transportation projects.
The way a street operates is driven by individual choice of how, where and how fast to travel, the physical space of the street including lane and striping, signal operations, surrounding land uses and how many other people are also using the same space.
The City has long prioritized all modes when delivering transportation projects; this strategy calls out specific actions that will help more quickly elevate options for walking, biking and transit improvements. Dedicating space proportional to planned travel patterns and mode shares in a systems-based approach will help to induce mode shift.
Actions to induce regional mode shift by prioritizing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities and operations into capital transportation projects.
Street Operations 6.1
Allocate street space to support planned travel patterns and desired mode shares.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
During capital projects, Public Works prioritizes street space in alignment with desired mode shares and planned travel patterns. Some project examples that centered multimodal transportation include Plymouth Ave N, Bryant Ave S, Hennepin-Dunwoody, and Lake St.
Street Operations 6.2
Advance the All Ages and Abilities Network, transit improvements and emergency response infrastructure through the bridge maintenance and replacement process.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Bicycles 2.1, Bicycles 2.2, Bicycles 2.3, Bicycles 2.4, Bicycles 2.5, Bicycles 2.6
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works completed the 1st Ave S bridge over the Midtown Greenway in 2024 which has bike and pedestrian facilities. Five additional bridges over this greenway are planned for construction between 2026-2028 and will maintain a safer corridor for greenway users. In 2023, MnDOT completed the restoration project on the 3rd Ave Bridge over the Mississippi River, improving bicycling and walking safety and connectivity.
Street Operations 6.3
Pilot innovative street operations and designs in response to changing conditions, markets, travel patterns, demographics, mode shift goals and technology to more efficiently use the public right of way.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works provides innovative designs and operations for city streets. Key accomplishments since 2020 include reconstruction of Bryant Ave S with a narrowed street, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, and separated bikeway facility; Upper Harbor Terminal development underway, and 1st Avenue S reconstruction underway.
Street Operations 6.4
Capitalize on opportunities to benefit vulnerable users, such as restriping streets outside of the Capital Improvement Program, adding delineators or markings and enhancing signage or wayfinding.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works adds safety improvements during routine repaving projects where possible. For example, protected bikeways were added to 40th St E/W in association with a sealcoat project and 58th/Sunrise during a resurfacing project.
Street Operations 6.5
Restore or eliminate gaps in the street grid when conducting planning or development activities. In particular, as soon as possible reconnect the street grid at Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street.
Supported goals:
Equity Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Walking 6.3
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
The street grid at Nicollet Ave and Lake Street is reopening in 2025. Public Works continues to explore reconnections to interruptions in the street grid where possible.
Street Operations 6.6
Support efforts to obtain legislative authority for automated enforcement and if granted, support its use to enforce vehicles blocking intersections, crosswalks, bicycle facilities and travel lanes.
Supported goals:
Safety Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
In 2024, the state legislature approved a pilot for automated enforcement of speeding and red-light running in Minneapolis from 2025-2029. The traffic safety camera pilot began enforcing speed limits at key locations in September 2025. The program may also expand to include enforcement of red lights.
See also actions:
- Transit 2.8
Effective bus-only operation