Jan. 9—ROCHESTER — A $2.5 million federal grant will support planning for proposed changes to South Broadway Avenue, between Fourth and Ninth streets.
The City of Rochester has been awarded Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the project that aims to improve safety and connectivity along the five blocks.
The work comes as the city is also planning to build a new bridge over the Zumbro River at the intersection of South Broadway and Sixth Street. Other efforts are studying potential changes to the streetscape north of fourth street as part of work to improve the newly designated downtown historic commercial district.
Deputy City Administrator Cindy Steinhauser pointed to those projects and others that connect to the planned South Broadway work.
“This funding also leverages other recent federal investments in the area including the renovation of Soldiers Field, the Sixth Street neighborhood street safety and riverfront improvements project and Link Bus Rapid Transit,” she said in a statement announcing the federal grant.
With more than 26,000 vehicles traveling on the section of South Broadway daily, and city staff report the area has seen 62 crashes, including pedestrian and bicycle incidents, in the past four years.
The segment of roadway is listed in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Vulnerable Road User High Injury Network, which consists of roadways with the highest numbers of people who have died or been seriously injured in a traffic crash while walking or biking.
The proposed South Broadway project will focus on creating a complete street design aimed at calming traffic, enhancing comfort for all transportation modes, and evaluating the feasibility of a separated-grade crossing for pedestrians and cyclists to improve safety across the nearly half-mile corridor.
Rochester Mayor Kim Norton said the federal funds will help the city address the concerns and improve safety for residents using the corridor.
“This presents a tremendous opportunity to make important improvements, especially for the thousands of people who live, work and enjoy the area,” she said. “The project will enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, creating a more accessible and inclusive environment. It will also support equitable spaces that promote economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for Rochester’s residents and visitors.”
Details regarding the planning project are still being developed, and city staff reports added information will be shared in the coming months.