17th Avenue is the lone concrete roadway in the City and its pavement is in poor condition. Underneath the roadway are public utilities in need of replacement, including a clay sanitary sewer pipe as well as an undersized cast iron watermain, both from 1950 and at the end of their useful lives. At the southern end of the corridor, 17th Avenue will be extended south of Excelsior Boulevard to the METRO Green Line Extension project’s Shady Oak Station. This new segment of 17th Avenue will include construction of a two-way bicycle lane along the west side of the roadway, “dead ending” at Excelsior Boulevard, and sidewalks along both sides. With no dedicated bicycle facilities along 17th Avenue north of Excelsior Boulevard, there exists a gap without suitable connection to the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, just south of Highway 7. With the need for reconstruction for the 17th Avenue pavement and utilities between Excelsior Boulevard and Highway 7, the City sees an opportunity to consider improvements which will support users of all ages, abilities, and transportation modes.

With funding from Hennepin County in 2018, the City of Hopkins commissioned an initial feasibility study to analyze bicycle and pedestrian-friendly design concepts for 17th Avenue. Public feedback was collected on the three concepts from August through October 2023. For more information on this phase of engagement, review the engagement summary.