53rd Avenue Roundabout Safety Project

Project Overview:

The cities of Fridley and Columbia Heights have been working to improve safety for vehicular traffic on 53rd Avenue just west of Central Avenue.  Due to the number of access points and their location near Central Avenue, turning movements into and out of commercial driveways creates unanticipated conflicts with vehicles traveling on 53rd Avenue. In addition, stacking of vehicles on 53rd Avenue to queue for the traffic signal at Central Avenue interferes with access points.


The recommended solution is to restrict access with a barrier median along 53rd Avenue to eliminate left turning conflicts.  To provide access opportunities, it is recommended that a turnabout be constructed to the west to allow right-out vehicles on the north side of the median that would return to Central Avenue a turnaround and provide a similar turnaround for right-in vehicles using accesses on the south side of the median.


The City of Fridley and City of Columbia Heights have obtained funding for the project under MnDOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which will fund 90% of estimated construction, and the cities would share equally in the matching funding for construction. 


The cities of Columbia Heights and Fridley held an open house on January 17th, 2023 to learn about the 53rd Avenue Roundabout Safety Project. To watch the presentation discussing the proposed project, key project personnel, project schedule and funding, view the project overview.


The project is planned to be constructed in 2023. If you have questions or want additional information, please call the Engineering Department with the City of Fridley at (763) 572-3554 or email web-FridleyEngineering@fridleymn.gov 


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Project Updates

November 22, 2023

Starting Monday November 27, 2023, the eastbound 53rd Avenue traffic will be closed at the roundabout between the Medtronic driveway entrances for private utility construction. Business access will still be opened. All traffic entering from Central Avenue (Trunk Highway 65) will detoured westbound through 53rd Avenue to Washington Street. The closure is anticipated to be closed through December 1. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice (PDF). 

November 14, 2023

The 53rd roundabout project is now open for vehicular travel to the business complexes and Highway 65 (Central Avenue). The Contractor will complete minor restoration within project area. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

October 20, 2023 

The 53rd roundabout project is now open for vehicular travel to the business complexes and Highway 65 (Central Avenue). Next week, the Contractor will begin restoration within project area and install minor concrete work. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

October 13, 2023

This week, the Contractor poured concrete for the new roundabout and median on 53rd Avenue from the west Target driveway entrance to Central Avenue (TH 65). The Contractor also began preparation of the road for the final lift of asphalt. Next week, the Contractor will begin paving the final lift of the asphalt within the roundabout area. After paving, the Contractor will begin restoration within project area. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

September 29, 2023

This week, the Contractor poured concrete curb & gutter for the new roundabout and median on 53rd Avenue from the west Target driveway entrance to Central Avenue (TH 65). Next week, the Contractor will continue with the concrete work. The new concrete will require 7 days of curing time. The Contractor will begin preparing the gravel base in preparation of paving the first lift of the asphalt within the roundabout area. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

September 22, 2023

This week, the Contractor finished installation of new storm structures on the south side of 53rd Avenue and prepared the roadway in for the new curb. Next week, the Contractor will install the curb & gutter for the south segment of the roundabout. The new concrete will require 7 days of curing time. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

September 8, 2023

This week, the Contractor installed the curb & gutter for the north segment of the roundabout. The new concrete will require 7 days of curing time. Next week, the Contractor will be removing the existing curb and street pavement on the south side of 53rd Avenue near the old Medtronic location and then begin installing storm structures. Beginning Monday September 11, 2023, 53rd Avenue from Main Street to Monroe Street will be a one way only for west bound traffic. East bound traffic will be detour at 53rd Avenue and 4th Street. We understand this is an inconvenience for traveling to your home and surrounding business, but this is for the safety of the workers and will speed up the project completion date. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

August 28, 2023

This week, the contractor continued excavating along the north side of 53rd Avenue adjacent to Target in preparation of the new roundabout. The Contractor also began installing storm structures along the northside of 53rd Avenue. Next week, the contractor will finish installing storm structures along the north side of 53rd Avenue then move to the south side of 53rd Avenue to begin excavating for the new roadway. Concrete is anticipated to start the week of September 4th on the south side of 53rd Avenue. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice. 

August 18, 2023

This week, the Contractor completed construction of concrete curb & gutter along the south side of 53rd Avenue at Central Avenue (T.H. 65). Next week, the Contractor will resume excavation for the new roadway and begin construction of storm sewer along the corridor. For more information, please see the official emailed notice. 

Notice – Please Keep Out of the Work Zone 
During excavation, the contractor found samples of non-friable asbestos debris (tiles containing asbestos) underneath the work area. The debris does not pose health concerns to the public. Removal of the tiles will be handled by a state-certified contractor in a manner protective of workers and the public. We ask that you follow regular construction zone precautions by staying out of the area to allow the contractors to work efficiently.

August 11, 2023

This week, the Contractor moved to the south side of 53rd Avenue and removed concrete curb and driveways near Central Avenue (TH 65) in the eastbound lane. The next phase of this project will include pouring of the new concrete curb and gutter on the south side of 53rd Avenue near Central Avenue. Following installation, the new concrete curb and gutter will require 7 days of curing time, during which vehicle access to driveways will be restricted for impacted properties. For additional information, please see the official emailed notice.