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All-terrain vehicles are allowed just about everywhere in Ely, but city officials are supporting action that would permit their use on state highways in town.
Mayor Heidi Omerza testified in St. Paul last week, in favor of allowing ATV use on state highways in cities with less than 25,000 in population.
That bill, offered by State Rep. Roger Skraba (R) of Ely and supported by ATV groups, was addressed briefly at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ely Economic Development Authority.
As reported last week in the Ely Echo, the bill has passed the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.
Omerza briefly made the case for her support, citing the economic development impact of ATV use in the Ely area and the completion of the trailhead facility on Ely’s west entrance.
“ I talked about how we’re inviting all these people up to our brand new trailhead and we really do want to connect our guests to all of our local establishments, be it to shop, be it to eat, be it to get gas,” said Omerza. “A lot of our trails do not connect to downtown.”
Omerza said the legislation would spare visitors from being ticketed for using state highways to get downtown.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like for our guests to get a ticket for ATVs when they got pulled over unknowingly for driving on Sheridan Street, which is a state highway,” said Omerza. “I can’t imagine all of them would know it’s a state highway.”
Currently, all roads in Ely are open for ATV use, with the exception of the roads that double as State Highways, which are Sheridan Street as well as Highway 1 on the east end of town.
Skraba’s legislation would permit a city or town with a population under 25,000 to adopt an ordinance that allows a person to operate an ATV on a roadway or trunk highway’s shoulder, if:
• The speed limit is no more than 45 miles per hour;
• It is only to access businesses and residences and to make trail connections; and
• There is no alternative public access for an ATV.
Skraba has called his bill “critically important” for rural cities where ATVs aren’t just for recreation, but a practical mode of transportation.
Omerza among those backing bid to allow use on state highways in town
