by April Scheinoha
Reporter
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking toward the future. At its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Pennington County Board heard an update on MnDOT’s future large projects.
J.T. Anderson, MnDOT District 2 engineer, and Brian Ketring, District 2 state aid engineer, appeared before commissioners. District 2 includes 11 counties in northwest Minnesota as well as parts of three other bordering counties.
Anderson provided an update on large projects on the horizon in the Thief River Falls area. MnDOT is working with the City of Thief River Falls on studying the Highway 59 corridor south of the city. They are studying the area of Highway 59 from about First Street East (Circle K) to the southern city limits (155th Street Northeast near Falls Cinema). He reported they are close to creating the final plan for the corridor.
Anderson anticipated that the U.S. Highway 59 corridor may be improved in 2030, but he called that timeline aggressive. He indicated that he doesn’t know if funding is available and the project isn’t currently on the MnDOT program.
MnDOT also anticipates a mill and overlay project on Highway 32 south of Red Lake Falls to U.S. Highway 2 in 2033. The major reconstruction of Highway 32 and Highways 1/59 (Third Street) is also planned around that time in Thief River Falls.
Commissioner Bruce Lawrence asked about issues with motorists traveling near the roundabout near Seven Clans Casino, Hotel and Water Park.
Whenever there is a change in a roadway, the number of problems there increases. Anderson indicated that MnDOT is in a holding pattern now to determine if any additional changes are needed there. Additional signage has been considered, but he said that area is already a forest of signs. Rumble strips are being considered.
Roundabouts are one way MnDOT is trying to reduce the severity of crashes. However, Anderson noted roundabouts don’t necessarily reduce crashes.
MnDOT is currently completing a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 75 and Polk County Road 21 in partnership with Polk County. Anderson said there were five or six crashes at that intersection last year. Fortunately, there were no deaths. Flashing lights worked a little while at that intersection, but he said motorists eventually drove through the intersection despite the flashing lights.
J-turns are another way to reduce the severity of crashes. “Those have been very effective at reducing fatalities,” said Anderson, who noted J-turns reduce the opportunity for severe right-angle crashes.
MnDOT also continues to spearhead the Toward Zero Deaths initiative. The Lincoln High School Key Club has the distinction of hosting the first Teens Toward Zero Deaths conference in the state. “That’s really the demographic we have to focus on,” Anderson said.
County Board approved scheduling a public hearing to obtain comment regarding Reiner Township’s proposal to take over two-and-a-half miles of County Road 97 north of Highway 1. The public hearing will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Reiner Township Hall. The county is required to hold the public hearing in the township before considering such a change.
Commissioners approved paying $7,788 for a sander to be placed in the back of a pickup truck. Iron Valley Equipment had the low quote. Bert’s Truck Equipment provided the other quote of $10,906.
County Engineer Mike Flaagan said the sander will be used to sand the three roundabouts north of Sanford Health, west of Challenger Elementary School, and near Seven Clans Casino, Hotel and Water Park.