New Safety Cones Installed Along West Broadway

A busy stretch of road connecting Robbinsdale and Crystal is now safer for pedestrians and cyclists thanks to a new joint effort between both cities and Hennepin County.

In mid-September, crews installed dozens of flexible orange cones along the east side of West Broadway Avenue, spanning a half-mile stretch between Fairview Avenue in Crystal and Lakeland Avenue in Robbinsdale.

The project is designed to provide protection for anyone walking, biking, or rolling through the corridor. Previously, non-motorized commuters had no physical barrier separating them from cars on the road.

Orange cones will be up along West Broadway from May through October between Fairview and Lakeland Avenues.

While the bright orange cones aren’t a permanent fixture, local officials say they offer a crucial layer of safety for the time being.

“Is it the best solution? No, but it’s a good temporary solution that’ll give them hopefully some safe refuge on the shoulder,” said Crystal Public Works Director Jesse Struve. “Help draw attention to the drivers through the corridor, [and] hopefully even slow some of the traffic down a little bit through that corridor with those cones.”

The temporary barriers will be installed annually from May through October. They are expected to remain a seasonal fixture until West Broadway Avenue undergoes a full roadway reconstruction, which is planned within the next five to 10 years.

Related: Drivers Need Patience as Work Begins at Busy Maple Grove Intersection

Crystal | Robbinsdale