Beginning in Fall 2018, Church Street (between Lilly Plaza Drive and Washington Avenue) was designated and redesigned as a “Restricted Vehicle Zone” (RVZ) for pedestrian and bicycle access only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Access for vehicles is only by authorized and permitted vehicles.
Church Street is a high volume, north-south pedestrian connection that experiences elevated bicycle and pedestrian activity during core academic hours and this new restriction is intended to alleviate conflict and congestion during that timeframe.
In order to accommodate those with delivery or service needs with locations along Church Street in the most accessible manner, a building-by-building plan has been developed to provide the most convenient access possible to campus buildings, considering the restrictions in place. Contact parking@umn.edu for more information.
Before the project, access was already limited to authorized vehicles. The removal of vehicular traffic, including authorized vehicles, during peak demand hours will free up additional capacity for pedestrians and bicycles. This change aligns with the pedestrian priority guidelines of the 2009 Twin Cities Master Plan, which call for the University to:
- Establish vehicle-free zones where pedestrian volumes, iconic open spaces, and adjacent land use patterns preclude use except by pedestrians or cyclists
- Develop pedestrian connections that will:
- Continue to share corridors with other modes of movement along streets or paths
- Enable pedestrians to the most direct route between major destinations
- Prioritize pedestrian movement over other modes of travel when possible
Access outside of RVZ hours continues to be limited to authorized vehicles only.
Restricted Vehicle Zone (RVZ) Permit
Restricted Vehicle Zone (RVZ) Access Info Sheet