Vol. 5 No. 1
Prepared and paid for by the City of Cologne
October 2011
POSTAL PATRON
Cologne
PRST STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 120 COLOGNE, MN
Intersection proposal intended to reduce crashes
MnDOT looking at safety improvement for Hwy. 212
T
he C it y of C olog ne ha s requested t he Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to review the intersection of Hwy 212/284/CR 53. While MnDOT is awa re of fata l accidents fairly quickly after an event, the collection of data on other accidents is done on an annual basis. In analyzing that information, it shows that 2011 accidents at that intersection already match the totals for the years 2006-2010. Cologne’s City Council recently passed a resolution that authorized the city to request slower posted speeds and a stop light to be located at the intersection. After several meetings with Council members, Planning Commission and staff, MnDOT has shown through prior experience that slower speeds will actually create more of a traffic hazard by changing the “speed differential” of oncoming traffic.
Hwy 212/284/CR 53 Intersection
as they see fit, they are asking for the community’s input regarding any planned changes.
CSAH 36 eastbound access
C
it y of f icia ls met w it h MnDOT representatives in early September, who proposed a safety improvement draft concept for the City to consider. While MnDOT can make any changes to the intersection
EA DRI T AND NK SCA BE RY!!
A proposed R-Cut intersection would reduce conflict points from 42 down to 24, while eliminating the most dangerous right angle crashes, according to MnDOT. The traffic movements eliminated from this intersection would be north/south bound movements (Hwy 284-CR 53), south bound traffic (Hwy 284) heading east, northbound traffic (CR 53) heading west. Vehicles traveling east on Hwy 212 could still make a left turn onto Hwy 284, vehicles traveling west on Hwy 212 could still turn left onto CR 53. Two access points on CSAH 36 would be changed to allow safer
Cologne Lions
OCTOBERFEST COSTUME
HALLOWEEN PARTY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011
ES!! PRIZ - $250 2 500 1 - $ 5 - $50
$500 BEST PRIZE FO COST R UME SILENT AND LIVE AUCTIONS BAR CASH ND T A R ZE FFE ETI T BU P P RAFFLE T A SER ICKE S DE AND GAM TS ES
Initial concerns from the City Council and Planning Commission were southbound emergency vehicle access, impact on local businesses, the farming vehicles access to the elevator and moving traffic accidents down the road to other intersections. MnDOT representatives promised to take a look at these concerns but noted that emergency vehicles would have a surmountable curb that would allow them to cross southbound onto CR 53.
While MnDOT just completed its five-year capital planning pro c e s s, a nd t h i s proje c t wouldn’t be typically eligible
for consideration until 2017, new federal safety funding has become available for fiscal year 2012-13. The federal funding is a competitive grant process with other MnDOT districts within the state but our MnDOT district feels this intersection would receive strong consideration due to its accident history. While reducing speed limits and stop lights would be a less expensive option for MnDOT, they do not qualify for the safety grant funding, and while these steps may provide a greater “sense” of safety, in fact they would likely become more dangerous, according to MnDOT. MNDoT will be hosting an open house 5:30–7 p.m., Mon., Nov. 14, 2011 at the Cologne Community Center to review the draft proposal and receive public feedback on possible changes. Check the City website for updated MNDoT maps.
Lions expand trail system
Proceeds help fund community improvement projects
Join us for a GHOULISH good time!
westbound access to Hwy 212 via Village Parkway.
The transportation representatives noted the other intersections onto Hwy 212 have better site lines along with limited access on the other side of the road, reducing potential crash causing variables.
7:00 - 11:00 pm Cologne Community Center
Tickets are $30.00 each Available from any Cologne Lions Member or Contact Kim at (952) 467-3637
CSAH 36/Hwy 212 westbound access
T
he Cologne Lions recently installed a trail connecting Lions Park to the city’s trail system. The 420-ft. long lighted trail connects up at CSAH 36 between Fritz Field and Burky’s Bar and Grill. The trail connection provides a safe and convenient access to the park that features new playground equipment, a covered shelter, cooking grills, restrooms and a ball field. Donated labor and equipment by
MnDOT has also shown that people will drive what they consider a safe speed regardless of posted limits in the absence of continuous traffic enforcement. In other words, a majority of people will travel an average of 67 mph (2011 speed study) in lieu of ongoing enforcement. Some motorists may travel at 50 mph and others at 70 mph creating another variable for crossing motorists to consider. MnDOT was adamant that a traffic signal would not improve safety but could very well make it more unsafe at that location. They showed city representatives data at several installed signaled intersections three and six years prior and three and six years after a signal was put in showing an actual increase in accidents and in fatalities. Signalized intersections do not qualify for Federal Safety Transportation Improvement Funds as they are considered a traffic function rather than a safety function. Another unique characteristic is the 2.1 miles of four-lane traffic buffered by two lanes on either side of the freeway. This causes motorists at times to use this stretch of road as a “passing zone” and again adding to the “speed differential” of the vehicles.
Lion members, along with $10,000 of their community improvement funds, provided for most of the supplies needed. The City of Cologne funded engineering, application processing, signage and crosswalk markings for the project. The Lions would like to thank Carver County Soil and Water and the Carver County Highway Department for their cooperation in the permitting process.
City of Cologne
Cologne City Council
Park & Recreation Board
1211 Village Parkway, P.O. Box 120, Cologne, MN 55322 Web site: www.ci.cologne.mn.us or www.Cologne-iSP.net
Mayor Bernie Shambour Don Meyer Scott Williams Matt Lein Jill Skaaland The City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7 p.m.
Craig Pexa Scott Rynerson Open Park Board position
Planning Commission
District #108 Community Education
Marcia Tellers Joel Sievers Kenton Exner David Reif Don Meyer (Council Rep) The Planning Commission meets on the 1st Monday at 6 p.m.
531 Morse Street, Norwood Young America, MN 55368 Phone: (952) 467-7390 Web site: www.dist108ce.org
Contact Us City Hall/Clerk’s Office ........................................(952) 466-2064 John Douville, Administrator ............ douville@ci.cologne.mn.us Public Works .................................... Terry Bullock, Jeff Wildung Cologne-iSP .........................................................952-466-2184 Emergency/after-hours public works pager..............................................(612) 579-7054
Mark Kalstas Mark Willems