Narrowing of Marie Avenue Lanes Approved by Mendota Heights City Council

Residents of returned to Tuesday to ensure traffic-calming measures will be incorporated into a 2012 street rehabilitation project.

The Marie Avenue reconstruction project from Dodd Road to Delaware Avenue will replace the pavement, install a new water main, and repair curb and gutter and catch basins. The trail will also be repaved and pedestrian curb ramps will be installed.

The council voted in favor of also striping the road with smaller 11-foot lanes to create a visual narrowing of the street. Narrowing the feel of the street could result in lower speeds along the 30 mph residential thoroughfare.

Snow Plowing is a Concern

Other options presented but not endorsed by the staff included curb modifications called “bump-outs,” which would mark off the parking lane and also provide a narrowing effect. Bump-outs would also allow for installation of mailboxes on the south side of the street for residents who have to cross the road to get their mail.

While the option was rejected by the council, they told residents that if they still want to pursue bump-outs, they could come forward with a petition to request the project and the special assessment that would accompany it.

Resident Jeff Holland spoke in favor of the bump-outs because they would create a physical narrowing of the road. He said they would also work in conjunction with striping of the road and a digital speed sign to achieve the desired safety impact.

The cost of a curb realignment would run about $30,000, said Interim City Administrator John Mazzitello. The city could decide how to divvy out those costs, whether through assessments or a combination of bonding and assessments.

Resident Diane Cameron said that snowplowing is already an issue at the corner of Callahan Place, and the trail on the south side of the road contributes to plowing problems. “We have the ped-way. And we get two-thirds of Marie Avenue thrown into our driveway,” said Cameron. She opposed bump-outs, saying that they would make the problem worse.

Mazzitello also said that realigning the curb would affect the functioning of the stormwater system and would also limit the city's options if traffic volume increased dramatically over time.

Medians were also presented as an option; however, that would eliminate parking on the street, said City Engineer Ryan Ruzek. Medians also limit turning options for residents leaving their driveways.

Sign Discussion Not Over

Signage continues to be a part of the discussion. The city is purchasing a mobile speed cart that would be able to reflect a driver’s speed, as well as gather information on traffic numbers. The cart will likely be used on Marie once it's purchased.

A permanent speed readout sign would require amending the city’s ban on digital signs.

Steve Norton, a Marie Avenue resident and the chair of the planning commission, spoke in favor of changing the amendment to install a more permanent speed sign. “It’s a relatively low cost endeavor," said Norton. "Similarly the signs could be adjusted so that they shut off at a certain period of time at night so as not to disturb any residents during dark time hours.”

Mayor Sandra Krebsbach said her concern was opening a floodgate for digital signs if the ordinance could not be tailored to allow the specific traffic speed sign alone.

City Attorney Tami Diehm said the League of Minnesota Cities has been exploring options for digital signs and said there is some "limited flexibility" for allowing traffic safety signals.