The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

March 14, 2010

Ask Us: City to review traffic changes

The Free Press

Q: Are they considering changing the two-way stop on Washington and Fourth streets to a four-way stop? It’s almost impossible to see if cars are coming on Washington with all the snow, and even without the snow in the summertime, it’s really hard to see with all the cars parked on Washington. I would like to know if they’re planning on changing that to a four-way stop because it is a very dangerous intersection.

A: The city is investigating whether or not to install an all-way stop at this intersection (they are no longer called four-way stops, the city says). It’s analyzing many such downtown roads after the two-way conversion last year.

It’s difficult to do studies like these in the winter because traffic counters are usually locked to something on the boulevard, which is difficult to do with several feet of snow. Also, plowing and street sweeping can damage the $1,000 counters.

Once the snow clears, they’ll look at vehicle and pedestrian numbers, vehicle speeds, accident history and visibility.

The city will compile its data and issue a recommendation to an internal staff committee, then the multi-modal committee and ultimately the City Council as is the process for traffic changes like this.

People with traffic questions can call the city at 507-387-8634.

Q: I was wondering why the city of North Mankato found it necessary to clear some trees from its land on the south end of Lake Street.

A: The clearing done this winter has been limited to brush and dead trees, Public Works Director Rich Peterson said.

Buckthorn, an invasive species that crowds out native plants for nutrients, is among the weeds being cleared.

Dead trees are a hazard that could fall into the road during a storm, he said.

The vegetation may also have been a visibility issue for traffic coming down Belvista Drive.



Contact Ask Us at The Free Press, P.O. Box 3287, Mankato, MN 56002. Call Dan Linehan at 344-6355 or e-mail your question to dlinehan@mankatofreepress.com; put Ask Us in the subject line. This Ask Us was compiled by Free Press staff writer Dan Linehan.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News