For the second time this year, but this time during the heart of a busy summer, Ely’s two remaining stoplights will go to flashing red as state officials test a pair of fourway stops.
Starting Monday, July 13, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will temporarily change the traffic control and both the intersection of Sheridan Street and Central Avenue, and up the hill at Sheridan Street and Third Avenue East.
According to a news release issued this week by MnDOT, the signals will be placed into flashing red and stop signs will be installed to change the intersections into all-way stop control for approximately six weeks.
It comes as the state ponders what to do next at both intersections, given that the traffic signals are reaching the end of their useful life and amid considerations to switch to other options including the possibility of mini-roundabouts at both locations.
The state’s plans have generated significant pushback in Ely, including via social media, a public hearing last fall and at the city council table.
The city’s police force also has concerns, largely for safety reasons.
“I’ve been here long enough to know we have to have stoplights at Central and Sheridan,” said Chad Houde, Ely’s police chief. “The buildings are so close to the intersection. We had a child that was hit by a vehicle there, and that was a kid in the crosswalk. If you’re going east to west or north and south you don’t know what’s coming. I’ve seen many cars blow those stoplights there. It’s a dangerous intersection.”
Mayor Heidi Omerza voiced concerns at Tuesday’s council meeting and city officials have publicly expressed doubts about Mn-DOT’s plans.
Omerza said she completed a survey put out by MnDOT and encouraged others to follow suit.
“The stoplights are going to be flashing red very shortly and yes, I already filled out the surveymonkey attached to it,” said Omerza. “I highly encourage that you fill it out.”
Anyone can complete the survey at this link: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ M3P95Q2.
While the state unveiled plans last year showing that mini-roundabouts were the preferred new alternative for both locations, they also stressed that nothing was imminent, no funding had been secured to make any changes, and that change would not likely occur for years.
They said the first step would be to test four-way stops, with the first test conducted in Febuary and early- March and the second this summer.
The second round of testing comes during one of the community’s busiest times of the year, and will intersect with the Blueberry/Art Festival, an event that fills the town and attracts thousands of people to the community.
Houde said that Ely police will watch the intersections and at times have officers stationed there “as a friendly reminder” to slow down and observe the four-way stop.
“People aren’t used to this and it will take some time to get used to,” said Houde.
The conversion away from regular traffic signals was the result of MnDOT studies of traffic counts, crash data and other information.
Although there is no money currently budgeted by the state to remove the traffic signals and install mini-roundabouts, that indeed is the recommendation of the state, although city officials and many attending last fall’s public hearing were skeptical.
Houde said he preferred that both stoplights stay for safety reasons.
“My involvement is the safety aspect of this,” said Houde. “I’ve been here 21 years and I remember when we took out the stoplight at First Avenue and that was a big issue then,” said Houde. “With stoplights it’s controlled access, and we have a county road and a state highway at Central and Sheridan. That’s the one I’m most concerned about. In my opinion, I want both of these stoplights to remain. I think they work the best for their location.”
According to MnDOT, the mini-roundabouts are preferred because they:
• Are the safest form of traffic control for all users;
• Create the least amount of delay for all users;
• Reduce vehicle speeds in the downtown area;
• Provide U-Turn opportunity for those looking for parking;
• Easily and efficiently handles large fluctuations in traffic including seasonal changes and special events.
But that sentiment has generated plenty of opposition locally, resulting in a firestorm of sorts on social media.
Houde also expressed reservations.
“When traffic is steady it does help our traffic moving,” said Houde. “When you go to a four-way stop not only do you have people taking turns you have pedestrians to wait for. And if we go to a roundabout you’ll have to yield to pedestrians there. I think roundabouts are good in a lot of places. I’m 100 percent in favor of installing one by the Y Store (near Tower).”
MnDOT determined that there was no warrant for traffic signals at the Third Avenue intersection, and nothing currently for Central Avenue, although in some future scenarios a warrant was met.
