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Commuters heading to their weekend retreats in Wisconsin last Friday may have noticed a group of people in neon-yellow safety vests along the shoulder at the Taylors Falls-Highway and Highway 95 intersection.  The group was meeting on-site, in person to share ideas and concerns on ways to address the myriad of issues the intersection presents.

Minnesota Department of Transportation official Dmitiri Tomasovich said one concern the state wishes to address is the large number of pedestrians focused on the entry to the state park.  As they  move into and out of town there are signs advising no crossing at this lighted intersection,  and directing pedestrians to an underpass walkway. But it’s obvious people are not following directions.

The underpass also can only be accessed by a steep grade which is a problem for the disabled or wheelchair bound visitors. 

Helping to coordinate MnDOT ADA compliance was Program Engineer Todd Grugel, a wheelchair user himself. 

Grugel explained based on his observations of the intersection “...we can make it work” referring to improvements that can be made in the existing right of way.

He added there is a need for some more discussions about the Americans With Disabilities Act compliance issues but his vision is  that improvements to the intersection are “workable.”

Tomasovich also informed the two participating city council members Carol Schumann and Robert Bayer, that the state plans to use what is now a right turn lane eastbound,  as a through-lane.   This will be especially important when traffic increases due to the Osceola bridge replacement detour to Taylors Falls (2027).  

At this time the extra lane is looked at as a temporary situation, but  if analysis shows keeping it a through-lane permanently is feasible, MnDOT will consider keeping this along with adding a right turn lane (to the park)  as part of a 2032 interstate bridge project.

Council member Bayer suggested the state should take another look at plans to facilitate handicap use of the intersection to cross over Highway 8.  He questioned why the Department of Natural Resources doesn’t survey handicap parking spots at the park itself and if they are all occupied consistently, maybe just increase the number of dedicated spots.

Grugel said improvements for pedestrians in general need to happen for safety concerns.  Taylors Falls should not view this project as only for addressing ADA ease of use.  

Adjusting timing of the crossing lights for vehicles exiting the state parking lot onto Highway 8 will also improve safety all around.  

Audible crossing equipment should also be considered along with a marked crosswalk, in light of the crowds on foot who visit Taylors Falls.

In Highway 8 study materials, there also is a project termed “immediate” for rumble strips on the westerly section of the highway as it comes down the hill along the riverway.  The median area  and shoulders are slated for rumble strips.

City Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Haas also noted for the state officials that the city has identified numerous small projects and locations where some attention is needed, such as widening sidewalks, curb cuts, painted crosswalks and maybe an overhead crossing alert on Bench Street.  

The state and city will coordinate planning and avoid overlap as this scrutiny continues. Tomasovich reminded city staff that the state can assist with certain types of signage and wayfinding.

Affecting anything that gets finalized for the highway  main intersection is a city project that is a priority item.  A major sewer line project, from the lift station by the underpass, up the hill, was awarded substantial state aid.

MnDOT plans are very preliminary at this time and although workshop participants looked over the drawings on a laptop, they will not be released until public comment is ready to be solicited.  Watch the Press for transportation department announcements or check in on the city website. 

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