Repair and Revitalize Robert Street!
The West Side Community Organization supports the use of State and Federal funds to repair Robert Street and replace the Robert St viaduct.
What we need
The West Side is one of Saint Paul’s most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, but with the least investment. That’s why it’s no surprise that one of the West Side’s most important thoroughfares, Robert Street, is currently rated by MnDOT as one of the most deteriorated roads in the metro area. With the right funding, we can redesign Robert Street for increased safety and accessibility, and rebuild the crumbling Robert Street viaduct.
Our vision is to make Robert Street a destination. We are working the U of M’s Design Center to engage in a community centered discussion of using the transportation project as a place building opportunity. Check the Events page for new project events.
Click here to view a PDF with more information about Robert Street revitalization
Click here for MnDOT's Robert Street Design concept
The Robert Street Viaduct
The Robert Street viaduct, constructed in 1930, exceeded its 50-year designed life in 1980. It shows significant wear and does not meet current MNDot construction standards.
The viaduct consists of a 2-lane asphalt paved road with steep concrete retaining walls that rise to an elevation more than one hundred feet at the George Street bridge.
The north and south points of the viaduct have limited visibility for pedestrians and drivers, leading to high accident rates in our community.
From the MnDOT website:
Funding updates
In January 2025, this project received a $25 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will fund the replacement of the viaduct between Cesar Chavez St. and King St. on Robert St. The nearly 100-year-old viaduct currently requires ongoing repairs. The grant will also cover some design elements and other roadway work on Robert St.
We are developing design concepts for the viaduct, which we will share with the public later this year. Construction of the viaduct and roadway work between State St. and Cesar Chavez St. is anticipated for 2028 and 2029.
In August 2024, the Robert St. Project also received $7 million from the Metropolitan Council's Regional Solicitation, a comprehensive transportation funding package. This will help fund the full reconstruction of the roadway.
Any future work along Robert St. will be completed in coordination with other public entities, including the City of St. Paul and the Metropolitan Council, to limit construction disruptions for residents, businesses and property owners.
Take action
Please join us at the next Land Use Action Circle Event.
Contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can take action together with your neighbors to make positive changes! Click here to learn more about our Land Use Action Circle
Learn more
"Robert Street is the only 'High Injury Corridor' in the West Side neighborhood, which is why we think safety must be a priority for any upcoming MnDOT project" – Christopher Bower, North Area Engineer, MN Department of Transportation
- The Safe Streets for All: 2023 Saint Paul Transportation Safety Action Plan highlights Robert Street as an area with many accidents and injuries
- West Side Safe Routes to School Plan identifies the need for a number of safety improvements on Robert Street (see pages 27-30).
- Click here to learn more about MNDOT's work on Robert Street
