Complete Streets in Minnesota communities
Hwy 61 in Lake City
Background
The planning study for this project recommended a four-to-three lane conversion (roadway reallocation) to increase safety by making traffic speeds more uniform and consistent through the downtown lakefront corridor and to lessen the ongoing maintenance costs where traffic forecasts did not warrant the need for four lanes.
The roadway reallocation allowed for the five-foot sidewalk on the lakefront side to be expanded to a 10-foot shared-use path. On the opposite side of the road, 3,300 feet of seven-foot sidewalk were added to complete gaps and improve sidewalk connectivity parallel to the lakefront.
Complete Streets elements
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
RRFBs include flashing lights that increase driver awareness of the presence of pedestrians at crosswalks, uncontrolled intersections or mid-block.
Road diet
A roadway reallocation, also known as a road diet, converts a four-lane road into a three-lane road. The additional space can be used to incorporate safe multimodal options, like bicycling facilities and wider sidewalks.
Landscaping, aesthetic improvements, and lighting
Elements that make the sidewalk and trail more inviting include colored concrete bands and brick paver accents, landscaping including perennials and trees, and decorative light poles.
Curb extensions
Curb extensions, also called bulb outs or bump outs, extend a small section of sidewalk into the roadway at intersections or midblock crossings. Curb extensions increase safety and comfort by shortening the crossing distance and increasing visibility between drivers and people walking.
Shared-use path
A shared-use path is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. Separation from motor vehicle traffic increases comfort for people walking and biking. A shared-use path may attract trail users who are interested in bicycling, but prefer a low-stress environment.
Before and after
Before
After
Complete Streets themes
Safety
Four-to-three lane conversions (roadway reallocation) can lead to more uniform and consistent traveler speeds and fewer crashes. The adjustment on this project is predicted to reduce the number and severity of crashes.
Anecdotally, drivers now stop for people walking through intersections where they hadn’t before.
Community connectedness
Improved crosswalks and RRFBs at key intersections allow safer access across the highway from downtown to the lakefront and to destinations like the lakefront trail, condominiums, the campground, downtown businesses, and the marina. Aesthetic elements enhance the look and feel of downtown and the lake walk.
Collaboration
MnDOT staff worked with the city council, community partners and residents to build support for the four-to-three lane conversion (roadway reallocation). Some did not see the necessity of what was perceived as a significant change to the roadway.
While the conversion was not proposed in response to a documented safety issue (i.e., serious injury or fatality data), the existing layout had a high risk of pedestrian safety impacts. Showing safety data from similar projects and potential improvements (e.g. the opportunity to convert the sidewalk to a multi-use trail) helped build support.
Maintenance
The city uses a skidsteer with a broom attachment to remove snow from trails for winter maintenance on the bumpouts. The thickness of the bituminous material was increased to four inches to allow for heavier use by maintenance equipment.
Additional example
An upcoming project in LeRoy (2023) will utilize MnDOT’s Community Roadside Landscape Partnership Program, which provides reimbursement for landscaping along the right-of-way. The project design includes an eight-foot buffer for plantings. MnDOT landscape architects will assist with selecting planting options and designs.