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Portner, Cal Subject: 225th Avenue & Highway 169 - Request for Safety Study From: Melanie Curtis Sent: Monday, March 4, 2024 2:49 PM To: Dietz, John <John.Dietz@ElkRiverMN.gov>; Grupa, Cory <Cory.Grupa@ElkRiverMN.gov>; Westgaard, Matt <Matt.Westgaard@ElkRiverMN.gov>; Beyer, Mike <Mike.Beyer@ElkRiverMN.gov>; Wagner, Jennifer <Jennifer.Wagner@ElkRiverMN.gov>; Portner, Cal <CPortner@ElkRiverMN.gov>; 'calvin.portner@elkrivermn.gov' <calvin.portner@elkrivermn.gov> Subject: 225th Avenue & Highway 169 - Request for Safety Study Elk River Mayor John Dietz Council Member Grupa Council Member Westgaard Council Member Beyer Council Member Wagner Elk River City Administrator Calvin Portner My name is Melanie Curtis; I live with my family east of the Highway 169 corridor, north of Elk River, Minnesota. We live in a neighborhood of approximately 20 homes; the intersection at US Trunk Highway 169 and 225th Avenue NW is our primary access. As a parent with a young driver, I have been concerned about the safety of this intersection for years. I am writing to you now because, on February 14th, an 8-year-old child tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident at this intersection. As a result, the child's family is irrevocably scarred. This tragedy underscores the need for a safety study on this corridor. As you may be aware, MnDOT identifies Highway 169 as an important north -south arterial route. This particular intersection (225th Avenue NW) is also the location of the main entrance to the Elk River Landfill operated by Waste Management where countless semi -trucks enter and exit throughout the day. Over the years, this intersection has been improved including turning and acceleration lanes and a widened highway crossover. In April of 2022, MnDOT began converting Highway 169 within the City of Elk River into a freeway to address the over -capacity intersections causing significant delays and safety issues on Highway 169 and all adjacent streets. The first two phases of this project are complete. All but one of the controlled intersections from the Mississippi River heading north have been removed; the last remaining controlled intersection is to be removed this summer. Highway 169's conversion to a freeway has resulted in the northbound traffic between Elk River and Zimmerman becoming a steady stream with very few openings to turn, enter traffic, or cross the divided highway safely. The unintended consequence of these improvements is increased volume and speeds on Highway 169 increasing the risk of hazards at the remaining uncontrolled intersections. There are 12 road intersections on Highway 169 between Elk River and Zimmerman which has the last remaining controlled intersection in the area at Highway 169 and Sherburne County State Aid Highway 4. Recently Sherburne County announced that they are receiving $24.7 million via the INFRA program (plus an additional $18 million in local funding) to improve the Highway 169 & CSAH 4 intersection (Rural Safety and Mobility Interchange Project). According to Sherburne County, a benefit of this $43 million project is the creation of a "Signal -Free Corridor" stating that the project to convert the CSAH 4 intersection to an interchange will eliminate the last remaining traffic signal on the 75-mile stretch of Highway 169 between Rogers and Lake Mille Lacs. What is not addressed by this project is that the intersection changes will likely produce a steady stream of high-speed traffic heading southbound, further exacerbating the safety issues on this roadway noted above. My neighbors and I respectfully request a safety study of the roadway and intersections between Elk River and Zimmerman. We believe our request to be timely. The next opportunity to apply for the USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant begins this month. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Please reach out to me to discuss this further. Page 189 of 229