Whittier Safe Routes to School Phase 2

Project overview

This project will add safety improvements near Whittier Elementary School. The project area includes W. 26th, 27th, and 28th streets between Blaisdell Avenue and Lyndale Avenue S. The intersection of E. 26th Street at Stevens Avenue will also be improved.

Project goals

• Improve comfort and safety for students walking and biking to school
• Create calmer streets for users of all ages and abilities
• Improve access to Whittier Elementary School
• Address traffic safety needs at intersections

Phase 1

Phase 1 of this project added improvements at these intersections:

• W 26th St and Grand Ave
• W 27th St and Blaisdell Ave

Learn more about Phase 1

View the interactive map

Construction updates

The project construction includes

• Bituminous and concrete surfacing

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps

• Intersection crossing improvements

• Curb extensions

• Revise traffic signal systems

• Improve underground utility systems

• Signage and new pavement markings

• Buffer and separate bicycle lanes

2026 Construction

These safe routes to school construction project commenced in the week of June 22, 2026.

Completion date for this construction project is in early November 2026.

The plans include 4 stages to improve in 2026.

The poster board is in SE of W. 26^th St. and Harriet Ave.

What to expect

Stages 2 and 3 are under construction through August, that includes:

• Intersection of E. 26^th and Stevens Ave.

(Pavement is being removed.)

• 26^th Street between Blaisdell Ave. and Lyndale Ave.

(New fire hydrant is being installed at Pillsbury and 26^th.)

• 27^th Street between Blaisdell Ave. and Lyndale Ave.

(Partial sidewalk and pavement are removed on 27^th St.)

Traffic impacts

• Through traffic and pedestrian detours vary at each intersection depending on daily work scheduled.
• Lane narrowing and full or partial intersection closure are expected under construction.
• There is no traffic through Harriet Ave. between 26^th and 27^th This block stays closed with no parking allowed.

Bi-weekly stakeholder meeting

Join us at the Whittier Safe Routes to School, Phase 2 - Bi-weekly stakeholder meeting. The stakeholder meetings will provide an overview of the project, construction details, and upcoming project work information. The bi-weekly stakeholder meeting began on Friday, June 26, 2026.

• Every other Friday
• 10 a.m.
  via Microsoft Teams
• Meeting ID: 243 098 912 798 136  
• Passcode: sk2WJ7aA 

Join the Whittier Safe Routes to School, Phase 2 - Bi-weekly stakeholder meeting

Accessing a Teams meeting via your mobile device may require downloading of the Microsoft Teams app to your mobile device.

• Call in, audio only participation: 612-276-6670   
• Phone conference ID: 533 185 949#  

Help with Microsoft Teams

Anyone can join a Microsoft Teams web meeting. A free software download may be required. The type of download may vary based on how you join the meeting (computer, android device, apple device).

Learn more about Microsoft Teams

Past meetings

Neighborhood pre-construction meeting - June 11, 2026

This meeting provided an overview of the project and important upcoming project construction information. 

• View the neighborhood pre-construction meeting presentation
• View the neighborhood pre-construction meeting recording

Community engagement

Whittier Neighborhood Day

Project staff attended Whittier Neighborhood Day on May 3, 2025.

Fall 2024 engagement

There were two ways the public provided feedback on this project:

• Completed a survey
• Shared their experiences on an online feedback map