Last night I attended the Minnesota Department of Transportation presentation on a major highway here in Northfield, Highway 19. It was the second open house on the MnDOT Access Management and Safety Plan for the highway. The presentation was made by MnDOT planner Peter Waskiw.

Mr. Waskiw laid out the reasons for doing the plan, principal among them crash reduction and improved traffic flow. He described the classification of this stretch of 19 between I-35 and Minnesota Highway 3 as a minor arterial shading into a principal arterial. He had lots of data on traffic volume, turning movement counts, and crash history. The latter showed 187 crashes between 2002 and 2006 - a higher rate than with similar highways in MnDOT District 6. Rear-end collisions made up the highest component of those accidents, numbering 64.

The key point in the presentation came with the “Potential Future Recommendations.” These included “No official bike lane designation along MN 19,” the creation of specific turn lanes and bypass lanes, and the realignment of intersections. Most importantly, the list contained this item: “If possible, a continuous left turn lane between Decker Avenue and MN 3.” This would add a third lane, or a middle turn lane, helping to reduce accident rates.

I asked why there would be no bike lane, and Mr. Waskiw indicated that it is because the road is not wide enough. I did not ask about motor vehicle lane widths or whether these could be reduced to accommodate bike lanes east of Decker Avenue. Bike lanes would have to be 6 feet wide, I believe, given the speed limit of 40-45 miles per hour. Mr. Waskiw pointed out that repavement would improve conditions for cyclists and that the middle turn lane would also improve safety by reducing the chances of a car passing another car on the right by swerving onto the shoulder.

I also made the comment that the Highway 19 corridor between Hwy 3 and the western edge of town is the only public right of way for accessing the western part of Northfield from much of the city. The corridor is bounded by the river and Malt O Meal on the south and a high hill on the north. Commercial development will likely occur west of town along this corridor, and nonmotorized travel will likely increase along it as well. It’s important that we plan for that traffic with sidewalks and bike lanes or shoulders.

I asked if sidewalks were within the scope of this project and Mr. Waskiw said they were not but that there might be an opportunity to talk about this topic with the city. I noted that there is a sidewalk now on the north side of the highway from Highway 3 to Malt o Meal, and I believe there is a short segment on the south side near Highway 3.

Addendum: Mr. Waskiw also mentioned that there is the possiblity of a “grade-separated” crossing of Highway 19 at Malt O Meal. When I asked another MnDOT staff member about this, she said it might be above-grade, as in a pedestrian bridge. The hill north of the highway would facilitate this, in my opinion. That would be an excellent development that would help local residents as well.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 14th, 2007 at 4:29 pm and is filed under Biking/Walking, Minnesota, Northfield, Transportation.