歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI 鈥� Project updates for State Highway 197 were the main focus of the Bemidji City Council's work session on Monday evening.

Presentations from City Engineer Sam Anderson and Minnesota Department of Transportation Project Manager Matt Upgren provided the council with the project's latest developments and answered any final questions before the formal request for municipal consent scheduled for September.

Anderson kicked things off by giving an overall summary of the project's history and significance.

The project, aimed at improving Highway 197/Paul Bunyan Drive from Gillett Drive to Bemidji Avenue, initially faced opposition when first proposed in August 2019.

After feedback from business owners led to a 3-4 vote to reject the initial plan, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Headwater Regional Development Commission formed a Community Review Panel in August 2020 to develop new alternatives.

Two new alternatives emerged from the panel's efforts: Alternative 1, which includes roundabouts at the Menards entrance, Middle 歪歪漫画 Drive and Hannah Avenue while keeping the current traffic signals at other intersections.

Meanwhile, Alternative 2 was similar but suggested traffic signals instead of roundabouts at Hannah Avenue and Middle 歪歪漫画 Drive while retaining the Menards roundabout.

Contributed artwork

In December 2021, the council endorsed Alternative 1, aligning with recommendations from MnDOT and city staff.

The city then secured a USDOT RAISE Grant in August 2022 to fund a substantial portion of the project. Additional funding of up to $5.2 million from the IIJA Discretionary Match Program was awarded in January 2024.

Design updates and public engagement efforts have continued, including the approval of a new roundabout at 23rd Street NW and Middle 歪歪漫画 Drive in December 2023 and reviews of landscape and lighting plans in May.

Anderson highlighted the community review panels and various engagement efforts.

"We've been working on this for years and tried to do what we can to set you guys up," he said, noting the importance of public input in shaping the project.

To address possible concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety related to roundabouts, Anderson presented data showing significant reductions in death rates and pedestrian-vehicle impacts.

He emphasized that pedestrian improvements would be outside the roundabout circle, allowing for safer two-stage crossings.

"The nice thing about these roundabouts is that we kind of use that bullwhip geometry to bring people in at an angle," Upgren added, "forcing drivers to slow down and be aware of their surroundings."

A study in the Traffic Safety Evaluation at Roundabouts in Minnesota report from October 2023 showed that roundabouts in Minnesota reduce severe injury crashes by 40% overall, fatal and serious injury crashes for bikes and pedestrians by 70% and total bike and pedestrian crashes by 15%.

It also found that roundabouts are safer than intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, and just as safe as all-way stop intersections, making roundabouts a good safety option for bikes and pedestrians.

Council members raised various questions about the project's details.

Ward 5 Councilor Lynn Eaton expressed some concern about the public possibly not being in support of the project again this time around.

However, Upgren is hopeful that will not be the case after how much education and public feedback has been gathered in the past few years.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been working on this for years and tried to do what we can to set you guys up," he said. "Hopefully, we can turn the page and move on and keep moving on the plans.鈥�

Councilor Emelie Rivera of Ward 4 inquired whether concerns about the project and roundabouts had diminished over time. Upgren noted a decrease in concerns, reflecting a broader shift in community sentiment toward roundabouts.

Ward 3 Councilor Ron Johnson then questioned the extended timeline for the eastern segment of the project.

鈥淗ow long is it going to take to complete the rest of it if it鈥檚 going to take 7 years?鈥� he asked.

Upgren indicated that completion could extend into the early 2030s, though a specific date has yet to be determined.

鈥淚s there any reason why you did not run a sidewalk along Super 8 as well?鈥� At-Large Councilor Audrey Thayer asked.

Upgren explained space limitations, and Anderson added, 鈥淲e did not have enough room to accommodate on both sides. We just did the enhanced one on one side.鈥�

Thayer also questioned the proximity of a roundabout to Super 8.

鈥淎ll the housing is on the other side, so you鈥檙e actually kind of zigzagging around, which is not a good pedestrian process,鈥� she remarked.

Upgren defended the design, highlighting the roundabout鈥檚 ability to slow down traffic and improve safety.

鈥淚t was mentioned that there were stacking concerns on the Anne Street and Highway 71 roundabout causing traffic jams," Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson said. "How do we know that won鈥檛 happen with these proposed for 197?鈥�

Upgren responded that while some queuing during peak times is expected, the design aims to manage traffic flow effectively by maintaining circulating lanes.

鈥淲e were dropping a lane in the Anne Street one and here, we鈥檙e keeping both of those circulating trunk highway lanes,鈥� Upgren explained.

Peterson also voiced his doubts that the businesses along the corridor were in full support of the project.

鈥淎 lot of the businesses that I talked to were venting to me after the meeting felt that this proposal we have in front of us was rammed down their throat,鈥� he said.

Upgren assured the council that they received around two-thirds showing of support for this project and that it is always fairly difficult with these types of large projects to have everyone on board.

Councilor Gwenia Fiskevold Gould of Ward 1 then inquired about traffic rerouting during construction.

Anderson explained that the main detour for the easterly part of the project is going to be Hannah Avenue North up to Anne Street through the roundabout back down the highway.

鈥淭here鈥檚 really no good detour for that westerly half of Highway 71 with the airport," he explained. "They鈥檙e going to have to do that one half at a time.鈥�

Upgren then outlined the project's next course of action, including the submission of a municipal consent request letter and the scheduling of a public hearing on Sept. 16. He assured the council that 3D renderings of the project are being prepared to provide a clearer perspective on how things will look.

Following the upcoming public hearing, the council will make the final decision on granting municipal consent for the Highway 197 project.