Complete Streets in Minnesota communities
Hwy 4 in St. James
Background
This project reconstructed a section of Highway 4 that was in poor condition, upgraded city utilities and provided ADA-compliant curb ramps.
The average daily traffic was 5,000-7,000 vehicles; about ten percent were heavy commercial vehicles.
Community members hoped to reduce speed and delays through intersections.
City officials expressed a desire to eliminate traffic signals at two intersections. Mini-roundabouts provided a solution that also addressed the desire to reduce speed and delay through intersections.
Staff used the engagement technique of Systematic Development of Informed Consent, which involves understanding the public’s needs and objectives, demonstrating competence in addressing those needs, and building trust. Staff led with addressing the community’s needs, rather than leading with one-size-fits-all solutions.
Complete Streets elements
Mini-roundabouts
Traffic signals on Highway 4 in downtown St. James were replaced with mini-roundabouts. Roundabouts are considered safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly. They reduce crossing distances for people walking through the intersection. Mini-roundabouts can be constructed within the existing footprint of the roadway.
Lane adjustment
Narrower travel lanes promote slower driving speeds, contributing to a safer roadway by reducing the severity of crashes and shortening crossing distance. The additional space can be used to increase access to safe multimodal options, like bicycling facilities and wider sidewalks.
One travel lane was removed and lane widths were reduced. The lane adjustment created a safer environment for people walking and bicycling to businesses in the center of town by slowing traffic and reducing crossing distances.
Back-in angle parking
Parallel parking was replaced with back-in angle parking. Back-in angle parking can reduce crashes, provide additional space, calm traffic through town, and improve visibility. The MnDOT Office of Traffic Safety prepared a summary of back-in parking pros and cons to inform the community during public meetings.
Before and after
Before
After
Complete Streets themes
Collaboration
Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, MnDOT staff worked with local partners and the community to understand and address their unique needs.
Community engagement
About 20 percent of the population are seniors and more than one-third are Latino. MnDOT staff developed a targeted engagement approach to reach these communities.
Public engagement staff attended community events and spread information through other media such as previews at the local theater. Project briefs in Spanish were distributed to high school students, who passed them along to their parents.
Safety
Mini-roundabouts, narrower lanes, and back-in angle parking improve the safety of the road by slowing traffic and improving visibility.
Freight
To increase public familiarity with the concept of mini-roundabouts, staff organized driving simulations with freight trucks and school buses to show that roundabouts do not limit access for large vehicles. The video was posted on the project website.
A public event provided residents an opportunity to learn about miniroundabouts, practice back-in angle parking, and visit downtown shops near the project during construction.
Active transportation
Improved sidewalks, crosswalks and curb extensions make walking through downtown more comfortable.
Back-in angle parking and mini-roundabouts make bicyclists more visible to drivers.