Vadnais Boulevard Trail Design
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Ramsey County is leading a study to identify trail and road design concepts for Vadnais Boulevard between Rice Street and County Road E in Vadnais Heights and Little Canada.
The goal of this study is to explore options for a potential future trail along this stretch of Vadnais Boulevard.
Watch a November 2021 NineNorth Cities Speak podcast to learn more about this project and similar studies on Lake Johanna Boulevard and Victoria Street.
Goals
- Link to existing trail infrastructure and nearby destinations.
- Create a safe and comfortable walking/biking environment along and across Vadnais Boulevard/Centerville Road.
- Construct improvements that can be easily maintained.
- Improve vehicle traffic mobility and safety.
- Minimize property impacts.
- Develop improvements that are financially feasible.
Timeline
- Summer - fall 2021: Analyze data and existing conditions
- Fall 2021: Gather feedback and engage with the community about their ideas for a trail
- Fall 2021 - winter 2022: Draft conceptual designs
- Winter 2022: Share conceptual designs with the public and gather feedback
- Spring 2022: Revise conceptual designs based on technical considerations and community feedback
- Spring 2022: Share revised designs with the public and gather feedback
- Early summer 2022: Develop recommended design and Corridor Study Report
Community engagement
Public engagement began in fall 2021.
Open houses
- In-person open house - Oct. 26, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
- Virtual open house - Oct. 27, 2021, 7 p.m.
- Virtual open house - March 22, 2022, 7 p.m.
- In-person open house - June 30, 2022, 7 p.m.
- View presentation (PDF)
Common feedback themes - fall 2021
- Generally supportive of trail separated from traffic.
- Users don’t feel safe biking or walking on this roadway currently; shoulder is too narrow/close to cars; uneven surface.
- Connect to existing trails:
- Need connection on Edgerton Street north of Centerville Road to loop the lake safety.
View fall 2021 engagement summary (PDF)
Common feedback themes - spring 2022
- Stronger preference for a trail on the north side of the roadway because it’s more scenic, crosses fewer intersections, has less impacts on homeowners, and better connects with existing trails.
- Supportive of implementing traffic calming elements to reduce speeds through the area.
- Mixed feedback about a roundabout at the intersection of Edgerton Street/Vadnais Boulevard.
View spring 2022 engagement summary (PDF)
Common feedback themes - summer 2022
- General support and excitement for this project; it is a needed safety improvement for the community.
- Support for the trail on the north side of the roadway because it’s lakeside, crosses fewer intersections, and better connects with existing trails.
- Desire for a complete loop around the lake (e.g., extend trail on Edgerton Street).
- Concerns about trail funding, implementation timeframe, environmental impact and safety at roadway crossings.
Project area