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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Payne Avenue Closes Between Maryland and Case as Saint Paul Pedestrian-Safety Project Begins
SAINT PAUL, MN (August 25, 2026) A section of Payne Avenue is closed as Saint Paul begins the first phase of a two-year project intended to make several East Side intersections safer and more comfortable for pedestrians.
Construction began Monday, August 24, on Payne Avenue between Maryland Avenue and Case Avenue. The work is expected to continue through October, subject to weather, construction conditions and schedule changes.
During the initial phase, Payne Avenue is closed between Maryland and Case while crews begin improvements around the Rose, Geranium and Jessamine avenue intersections.
The Maryland Avenue intersection remains open. Case Avenue also remains open and is not scheduled for construction during 2026 because it is being used as part of a detour associated with the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Arcade Street project.
Early construction work includes installing traffic controls, cutting pavement and sidewalks, and removing sections of roadway, curb and pedestrian infrastructure.
The larger Payne Avenue project calls for pedestrian bump-outs at Sims, Case, Jenks, Cook, Magnolia and Geranium avenues. Bump-outs extend the sidewalk into areas where parking is already prohibited near an intersection.
According to the city, the design can improve visibility between drivers and pedestrians, shorten the distance people must cross and encourage motorists to make turns at slower speeds.
On-street parking near affected intersections will be reduced during construction. Drivers should follow posted detours and temporary traffic controls, allow additional travel time and watch for workers and pedestrians.
Businesses and residences along the corridor may remain accessible through changing routes, but access conditions could vary as work moves from one intersection to another. Travelers should consult the city’s project page for the latest construction notices.
The broader improvement program is scheduled to continue through 2027. Specific schedules and traffic impacts may change because of weather, utility conflicts or other construction conditions.
- Official project information: City of Saint Paul Payne Avenue intersection improvements
- Road conditions: Minnesota 511
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