Globe

France Avenue Modification Near Jefferson High School

Project Overview
This summer, changes are coming to France Avenue (CSAH County Road 17) to improve safety for people driving, walking, and biking—especially near the school.

This project is already funded and scheduled by Hennepin County through a pavement maintenance project and County signal maintenance staff. The feedback we are collecting now will not change the 2026 improvements but will help prioritize future projects in this area and gather input for a potential school zone speed limit.

What We’re Aiming to Do

Slow traffic to safer speeds
Make it easier and safer to cross the street to access the schools and trail
Improve safety at key intersections and school areas
Improve the longevity of the pavement with routine pavement management treatments

Timeline

Summer 2026: Pavement preservation (chip seal), new striping, and signal updates
2026–2027: Potential school zone speed limit installation

Project Limits

North Limit: Between W 98^th Street and Pebblebrook Drive
South Limit: Old Shakopee Road (CSAH 1)

What’s Changing

France Avenue will be restriped from a four-lane road to a three-lane road (one lane in each direction with a center turn lane). Instead of two lanes in each direction, France Avenue will have one lane in each direction, and one center lane for turning. This will calm traffic and discourage speeding.

This design is widely used to reduce speeding and improve safety.

Additional improvements include:

Safer intersection design at 102nd Street, including dedicated left turn lanes
Traffic signal updates to provide flashing yellow signals,
Safer school crossing at the school crossing at Heritage Hills/Canterbury with fewer lanes to cross

An example signing and striping plan sheet for this project.

Why This Matters
This corridor serves a school and has frequent pedestrian activity. These changes are designed to reduce crashes, improve visibility, and create a safer environment for everyone using the road.

Hennepin County Project Information

More information about the Hennepin County road maintenance project can is available on the project website, https://www.hennepincounty.gov/services/roads-bridges/road-maintenance-projects

Have Other Safety Concerns?
The changes being made with this project advance the goals of the Active Transportation Action Plan and will improve safety in response to resident concerns that we have heard in the past.

We are collecting additional input for future improvements in this area.

Use the map below to tell us:

Where do you feel unsafe walking, biking, or driving?
Are there crossings, intersections, or areas that need attention?
What specific issues have you experienced (speeding, visibility, congestion, etc.)?

Your input will help shape a future corridor study for W 102^nd Street, be included in an upcoming Safe Routes to School Plan Update, and guide future safety improvements.

Project Overview
This summer, changes are coming to France Avenue (CSAH County Road 17) to improve safety for people driving, walking, and biking—especially near the school.

This project is already funded and scheduled by Hennepin County through a pavement maintenance project and County signal maintenance staff. The feedback we are collecting now will not change the 2026 improvements but will help prioritize future projects in this area and gather input for a potential school zone speed limit.

What We’re Aiming to Do

Slow traffic to safer speeds
Make it easier and safer to cross the street to access the schools and trail
Improve safety at key intersections and school areas
Improve the longevity of the pavement with routine pavement management treatments

Timeline

Summer 2026: Pavement preservation (chip seal), new striping, and signal updates
2026–2027: Potential school zone speed limit installation

Project Limits

North Limit: Between W 98^th Street and Pebblebrook Drive
South Limit: Old Shakopee Road (CSAH 1)

What’s Changing

France Avenue will be restriped from a four-lane road to a three-lane road (one lane in each direction with a center turn lane). Instead of two lanes in each direction, France Avenue will have one lane in each direction, and one center lane for turning. This will calm traffic and discourage speeding.

This design is widely used to reduce speeding and improve safety.

Additional improvements include:

Safer intersection design at 102nd Street, including dedicated left turn lanes
Traffic signal updates to provide flashing yellow signals,
Safer school crossing at the school crossing at Heritage Hills/Canterbury with fewer lanes to cross

An example signing and striping plan sheet for this project.

Why This Matters
This corridor serves a school and has frequent pedestrian activity. These changes are designed to reduce crashes, improve visibility, and create a safer environment for everyone using the road.

Hennepin County Project Information

More information about the Hennepin County road maintenance project can is available on the project website, https://www.hennepincounty.gov/services/roads-bridges/road-maintenance-projects

Have Other Safety Concerns?
The changes being made with this project advance the goals of the Active Transportation Action Plan and will improve safety in response to resident concerns that we have heard in the past.

We are collecting additional input for future improvements in this area.

Use the map below to tell us:

Where do you feel unsafe walking, biking, or driving?
Are there crossings, intersections, or areas that need attention?
What specific issues have you experienced (speeding, visibility, congestion, etc.)?

Your input will help shape a future corridor study for W 102^nd Street, be included in an upcoming Safe Routes to School Plan Update, and guide future safety improvements.

Future Planning Input

Share Future Planning Input on Facebook Share Future Planning Input on Twitter Share Future Planning Input on Linkedin Email Future Planning Input link

The interactive project map has been created and is now open for use. Go to the "Comment Map" tab to access. Then use the "new pin" button to add pins on the map and follow the prompts to create a pin or upload a picture demonstrating your comment.
The purpose of this map is to provide a tool for you, as a user of this roadway, to provide your input on experiences and concerns related to driving, biking, walking, drainage, and more, along or across France Avenue.
While the scope of the current project is set and the striping and signal changes will be made in 2026, your comments will be used to shape future planning and modifications in the general area. These opportunities include school zone speed limits on France Avenue, an upcoming Safe Routes to School Plan update, a 102nd Street Corridor Study, and future pavement maintenance projects in the area. Comments can be made on the map within the comment area.

The interactive project map has been created and is now open for use. Go to the "Comment Map" tab to access. Then use the "new pin" button to add pins on the map and follow the prompts to create a pin or upload a picture demonstrating your comment.
The purpose of this map is to provide a tool for you, as a user of this roadway, to provide your input on experiences and concerns related to driving, biking, walking, drainage, and more, along or across France Avenue.
While the scope of the current project is set and the striping and signal changes will be made in 2026, your comments will be used to shape future planning and modifications in the general area. These opportunities include school zone speed limits on France Avenue, an upcoming Safe Routes to School Plan update, a 102nd Street Corridor Study, and future pavement maintenance projects in the area. Comments can be made on the map within the comment area.

Page last updated: 28 Apr 2026, 04:17 PM