At 6 p.m. on Sunday, the city of St. Paul and Ramsey County will close a 3-miles stretch of Shepard Road and Warner Road in downtown St. Paul due to expected flooding caused by rising levels of the Mississippi River.
Between Eagle Parkway and U.S. 61, vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access on these roads along the north side of the Mississippi is prohibited until water levels have receded and the roads can be cleared, according to a press release from the city of St. Paul.
Sibley Street and Jackson Street between Kellogg Boulevard and Second Street also will be closed to traffic. The one-way street segments, which typically connect to Shepard Road, will be temporarily converted to two-way traffic only open to access local buildings. Closing Shepard Road is part of the city’s Flood Response Plan.
“Closing Shepard Road due to flooding is a necessary step we do in partnership with the County to protect public and private infrastructure for all,” said Sean Kershaw, St. Paul’s director of public works, in the statement. “We encourage everyone to be prepared and plan alternate routes to get in, out and around Saint Paul for the next several weeks.”
Nearby park areas, trails and facilities also will be temporarily closed.
The current list is Chestnut Plaza, City House, Crosby Farm Regional Park, Desnoyer Trail and Meeker Island Dog Park, Fish Hatchery Trail, Harriet Island Pavilion and public dock, Hidden Falls Regional Park, Kelly’s Landing, Lambert’s Landing, Lilydale Regional Park, Pig’s Eye Park, Raspberry Island, Robert Piram Trail, Upper Landing, Victoria Park and Watergate Marina.
Updated information about closures is available on the city’s website.
The National Weather Service is forecasting the river at St. Paul to reach “major” flood stage, or 17 feet, on Wednesday. The Mississippi is expected to crest just above 18 feet next Friday.
As of Friday night, the river was just above 11 feet. “Minor” flood stage is 14 feet.
