Hwy 2

Project Canceled

Based upon input from the community and city council, this project has been canceled and will no longer be constructed.

Road Diet

What is a Road Diet?

4-lane, undivided highways have a history of higher crash rates, especially in urban areas with many turning options. The main issue is that the left lane is shared by higher-speed through traffic, along with left-turning vehicles.

A road diet would reallocate the driving surface with a single lane in each direction with a shared center left-turn lane and separate bike lane.

Why even consider removing a driving lane?

Road diets provide benefits to all modes of transportation, including motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Benefits can include the following:

• Crash reduction of up to 47%, including rear-end and T-bone type crashes
• Reduces and streamlines speed which increases safety and makes gap selection easier
• Increases safety for bicyclists and provides fewer lanes for pedestrians to cross
• Provides a safe space between parking lane and driving lane
• Encourages a more community focused environment
• Provide a safer turning movement for semi-trucks onto Hwy 92

Some concerns we've heard

• Excessive speeds, especially on the edges of town
• Hwy 2 is a barrier for pedestrians
• Little separation from parked vehicles downtown
• No dedicated bicycle facilities
• Sidewalks are not kept clear of snow
• Difficult for trucks to turn at Hwy 92

Traffic congestion

Highway 2 through Bagley carries approximately 7,500 vehicles per day. This is very similar to the traffic volumes seen on:

• Hwy 371- Walker (8,000 per day)
• Hwy 71- Park Rapids (8,000 per day)
• Hwy 11- Roseau (7,500 per day)
• Hwy 59- Thief River Falls (8,700 per day)

All four of these highways carry the same amount of traffic on a 3-lane road, with 2 through lanes and a center left turn lane. An urban 3-lane road can handle up to double the traffic that currently uses Highway 2 in Bagley.

How can a road diet increase safety?