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CON~ULTINGENGINEER~ <br /> <br />1326 Energy Park Drive <br /> <br />Si'. Paul, MN 55108 <br /> <br />612-644-4389 <br /> <br />1-800-888-2923 <br /> <br />Fax: 612-644-9446 <br /> <br />November 13, 1996 <br />File: 230-347-80 <br /> <br />Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />City of Elk River <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />P.O. Box 490 <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />RE: TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 SAFETY ISSUES <br /> <br />ITEM 4. <br /> <br /> CIVIL ENGINEERING: <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL <br /> <br />' ~4UNICIPAL <br /> ~,NNING <br /> SOLID WASTE <br /> STRUCTURAL <br /> SURVEYING <br /> TRAFFIC <br /> TRANSPORTATION <br /> <br />ELECTR!CAL/MECHANICAL <br />ENGINEERING <br /> <br />HVAC <br /> <br />POWER DISTRIBUTION <br /> <br />SCADA <br /> <br />SYSTEM CONTROLS <br /> <br />, qFFICES IN: <br /> <br /> ·,dNNEAPOLIS <br /> <br /> PRIOR LAKE <br /> <br /> ST. PAUL <br /> <br /> WASECA <br /> <br />Dear Council Members: <br /> <br />As the City Council is aware, a few weeks ago you directed me to send a letter to MnDOT <br />raising concerns about the safety of Trunk Highway 169 corridor, specifically, relative to <br />pedestrian movements. A copy of that letter is attached for your reference. On <br />November 7, 1996, we received a reply from Donald L. Raisanen, the District 3 Engineer. <br />A copy of that letter is also attached for your reference. Mr. Raisanen makes three points <br />in his letter. One of these points concerns the length of the yellow lights on the TH 169 <br />signals. He indicates that the yellow lights are set between 5 and 5lA seconds. According <br />to studies, this is the amount of time needed for a 55 mph speed limit. As you are aware, <br />the posted speed limit in this area is 45 mph, but the yellow lights are timed for a 55 mph <br />travel speed. Basically, MnDOT does not believe that these need to be lengthened. The <br />second point he makes is concerning the time for a pedestrian at-grade crossing of TH 169. <br />He indicates that the signals are all set for approximately 40-43 seconds for pedestrian <br />movements. This includes the "Walk" cycle, the flashing "Do Not Walk" cycle, and the <br />yellow and the red time. MnDOT points out in their letter that this is in accordance with <br />guidelines and that it should allow enough time to leisurely cross TH 169. Leisurely is <br />assumed to be 4 feet per second. The last issue that Mr. Raisanen addresses is the speed <br />limit issue. He references a letter written to Chief Zerwas on March 27, 1996. I believe <br />that letter discussed the potential for actually raising the speed limit along this portion of <br />TH 169. MnDOT indicates in their current letter that they will again review the speed <br />limit, but they do not feel that speed was a contributing factor to either of the fatalities, and <br />they do point out that over 90% of the vehicles now traveling the TH 169 corridor are <br />doing so at faster than 45 m.p.h. Therefore, it may be hard to justify continuing the 45 <br />m.p.h, speed limit and extending it further north. <br /> <br />The other issues that were raised in my letter concerned a pedestrian overhead crossing, <br />lighting of the highway between intersections, fencing of the highway between School <br />Street and 197th Avenue, and the installation of signal warning flashers at each of the <br />signals. Mr. Raisanen indicates in his letter that these items will be reviewed during their <br />Annual Safety Program now underway. I understand that we should know by January 1997 <br />what, if any, of these projects have been programed. If MnDOT programs any <br />improvements it would likely be for FY 2000; however, I believe we could consider <br />funding the programed improvement ourselves and get reimbursed in FY 2000. Also, if <br /> <br />230/347-1303.nov <br /> <br />An Equal Opportunity Employer <br /> <br /> <br />