Interlachen Boulevard Reconstruction
Background
In 2027, Edina will reconstruct Interlachen Boulevard from Blake Road to Mirror Lakes Road. According to the project's website, the city's current plan is to build a sidewalk and painted, unprotected, bike lanes. The final design will be completed in November 2026 and a public hearing will take place in December 2026.
Our Stance: Paint Is Not Protection
The city should build a cycle track (grade separated bike lanes) on Interlachen. Interlachen is a critical east/west connector in Northwest Edina that provides access to:
Highlands Elementary & The Blake Campus
Todd Park & Highlands Park
The new Blake Road Green Line station
Interlachen Country Club & the Grandview District
Importantly, any child living north of Interlachen must bike on Interlachen to get to Highlands Elementary. A cycle track would allow those of all ages and abilities living near Interlachen to navigate safely to these landmarks by bike.
More details on our rationale can be found in the attached presentation. This also includes information about a Vernon Avenue project, which we will discuss in a future newsletter.
Action Steps
Survey: Fill out the city's survey on the project, which closes August 28. In the section about biking on Interlachen, advocate for a cycle track. City staff use these survey results as key data points when determining final design options.
Email: Email Chad Milner (cmillner@EdinaMN.gov), Public Works Director & City Engineer, and Andrew Scipioni (ascipioni@EdinaMN.gov), Transportation Planner. Advocate for a cycle track on Interlachen.
Spread the Word. Please forward this to anyone who lives near Interlachen or who has kids that attend Highlands.
Best,
The Edina Bike Alliance Team
edinabikealliance.org
