The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday approved construction of a key section of the city’s Grand Round bikeway — a two-way bike corridor along Pelham Boulevard, Myrtle Avenue and Raymond Avenue.

The goal is to fill in a north-south gap in the city’s bicycle network this summer between Mississippi River Boulevard and Raymond Avenue north of University Avenue.

“It would be the first separated bikeway on a street in St. Paul,” said St. Paul City Council President Russ Stark.

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Stark added that the infrastructure will make the roads more welcoming to different levels of cyclists. “We’re behind the times in that regard.”

The separated bikeway, protected from vehicular traffic by bollards, will run along the east side of Pelham Boulevard, eliminating parking on that side of the street.

The plans also make a portion of Myrtle Avenue between Pelham Boulevard and Raymond Avenue one-way heading westbound for drivers. Related Articles Charges: 17-year-old shot 15-year-old in face during marijuana deal in St. Paul

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Some residents expressed concern about the loss of parking along the southern four blocks of Pelham, which is a popular entrance to Mississippi River Boulevard, the river and the Town and Country Club. “No parking will exist on either side of Pelham from Doane Avenue to Mississippi River Boulevard after implementation,” said neighborhood resident David Tierney, in an email. “That is what the neighborhood had concerns about.”

Others asked for the speed limit to be lowered along the steep incline of Pelham Boulevard below the current posted speed of 30 mph, and enforced for cyclists and drivers alike.

City planners dusted off century-old plans for a Grand Round path way around St. Paul in 2015 and have been implementing it in segments following dozens of community meetings with residents and business owners.