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Council asks MnDOT to keep signal at Third and Sheridan
City officials are steadfast that Ely should not be a one stoplight town.
A day after public meetings addressing that possibility, the city council went on record and formally requested that the Minnesota Department of Transportation retain signalized intersections at both Central Avenue and Third Avenue East.
Tuesday’s council vote came after Monday meetings (see related story) where Mn-DOT officials said they were exploring changes that might remove the traffic lights now in place at the intersection of Sheridan Street, which doubles as Highway 169, and Third Avenue East.
While that possibility is only in the talking stages and might be years away, Ely leaders don’t want the idea to gain traction.
The council voted unanaimously to appeal to MnDOT, as recommended by the city’s projects committee.
“We know how much we rely on those lights, and we know people around the community utilize those lights to help us get around,” said Al Forsman.
Forsman added the lights have benefits with traffic flow beyond the impacted intersections, and said it was also an issue of safety.
“Not only when you’re at the intersection but how it impacts traffic down the road because those lights are up there,” said Forsman. “And to me it’s not just about automobiles, but pedestrian traffic.”
Police Chief Chad Houde weighed in and also echoed the council’s sentiments.
“The police department is 100 percent in favor of keeping both those lights,” said Houde.
Houde said he would prefer if traffic lights were also restored at the corner of Sheridan and First Avenue East.
Those lights were removed several years ago and Houde said he believes there has been an increase in accidents as a result.
He pledged his help in an effort to convince state officials to retain the traffic lights.
“I’m happy to gather as much data as I can to show how safe those intersections are,” said Houde.
The public can also help, according to mayor Heidi Omerza.
She called on citizens to complete a survey that was launched by MnDOT.
“If you have not had a chance to fill out the survey yet, go to Google and type MnDOT and Ely intersections and it pops right up,” said Omerza.
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/ely_ice/index.html
While the traffic light issue was cause for concern in city circles this week, officials conceded that much remains to be determined.
Any potential action may yet be several years away, according to clerk-treasurer Harold Langowski.
“They (MnDOT) are in the discovery phase right now, looking at the intersection and taking comments and concerns,” said Langowski. “They are looking at traffic and pedestrian movement. As for a projected date for any improvements, there is none. First they need to come up with a project. Then they need to determine a cost and how they will get it funded. It might be a few years down the road at the very soonest.”
It’s also possible the traffic lights could stay with a helping financial hand from the city of Ely, although that could cost as much as $500,000.
Council member Angela Campbell noted that the traffic light at the corner of Third and Sheridan has been in place since 1942.
“They have worked efficiently a nd now it’s time to look at the future,” said Campbell.
