Changes in the works for U.S. 59 could include roundabouts

WORTHINGTON — A stretch of U.S. 59 between Interstate 90 and its intersection with Oxford Street could see modifications, potentially including roundabouts, lane alterations and a slight shift to the west.

No decisions were made by the Worthington City Council during Thursday’s meeting with the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the project, which is part of a larger effort to return jurisdiction of an L-shaped piece of U.S. 59 to the city — a process called “turnback.”

The east-west portion of the L would stretch from the Humiston-Oxford intersection east to a location just short of the roundabout at Oxford Street and Minnesota 60. That stretch of U.S. 59 is due for reconstruction, MnDOT representatives have previously stated.

Most of the discussion revolved around reducing six different viable options for the north-south part of the L to three, so that engineers can begin investigating those options more thoroughly — and so that engagement and comments can be sought from the public.

The six alternatives were generated by looking at three different binary choices for Humiston Avenue, from I-90 to Oxford Street:

• Should it be two lanes or four lanes?
• Should the Humiston-Oxford intersection be a roundabout or use signals?
• Should the Humiston-Ryan’s Road intersection be a roundabout or use signals?

Changing the road into a two-lane street would naturally reduce driving speeds, which are often fast along that stretch when little traffic is present, said Ryan Sundberg, roadway design lead with KLJ, an engineering and planning service assisting with the project.

It also shortens crosswalks to make pedestrian crossing safer, reduces lane switching and could potentially add green space, though city workers pointed out that ice-mitigating road salt makes it difficult to grow plants next to high-traffic roadways.

Keeping the road at four lanes increases its capacity and reduces travel time in the corridor, according to MnDOT’s presentation, and also allows for single lane closures for maintenance without requiring detours. Because the traffic capacity at intersections is increased, road access points can be consolidated as well.

Diagram courtesy KLJ and the Minnesota Department of Transportation

Multiple city officials acknowledged that roundabouts have been fairly controversial in Worthington.

“I’m sure you hear that ‘love,’ or the absolute hatred of roundabouts. I know you do,” said Councilman Chad Cummings, referring to a roundabout in Mankato that keeps mixed traffic — including semi trucks, box trucks and ordinary cars — moving very effectively. “... I hate to be the guy that says ‘I’m a fan of them,’ but I think they’re great.”

The major benefit of roundabouts is that they keep the traffic moving, rather than forcing people to stop and wait for a light. Left turns can bog down traffic at a signal intersection, said Joe DeVere, a professional engineer with KLJ.

“I think the discussion about roundabouts in Worthington… is over,” said City Administrator Steve Robinson. “We have three roundabouts. People have adapted; they’ve proven to work very well.”

Council member Amy Ernst emphasized the importance of looking at traffic flow and analysis of the options before making a final decision. While some people may not like roundabouts, it might still be the best scenario for traffic, she said.

Diagram courtesy KLJ and the Minnesota Department of Transportation

After a lengthy discussion that included potential ramifications for businesses located along the Humiston Avenue corridor, the council indicated they were most interested in pursuing more information about options 2, 4 and 5.

• Alternative 2: A divided two-lane road with roundabouts at the Oxford-Humiston intersection and the Ryan’s Road-Humiston intersection.
• Alternative 4: A four-lane road with roundabouts at the Oxford-Humiston intersection and the Ryan’s Road-Humiston intersection.
• Alternative 5: A four-lane road with signals at the Oxford-Humiston intersection and a roundabout at the Ryan’s Road-Humiston intersection.

No decision was made, and both MnDOT and city officials agreed that public engagement and comment would be critical in selecting the shape of the final project.

“Even listening to everybody talk at the start of this (meeting), it was ‘Whoa, there’s a lot of roundabouts,’” said Anne Wolff, public engagement coordinator with MnDOT. “We look at some of it, and you, suddenly, by the end are kind of like ‘Oh, OK, I can get on board with this.’”

Wolff emphasized the importance of informing the public of the potential options and their benefits and drawbacks, and giving people the opportunity to give their input.

“Public input would be one of the considerations, along with cost, along with traffic flow, along with safety,” she said.

“It gives them an opportunity to look at what’s going on,” Ernst added.

“MnDOT does value engagement,” said Peter Engelmeyer, project manager with MnDOT, which will work to develop the three alternatives more so that the public will have more information about each before decisions are made.

The public will likely be invited to learn about potential alternatives for the project and give their input in a variety of ways, including meetings, but also including online surveys and informational tables at community events.

Robinson said a clear plan with documentation of all responsibilities the city would be taking on and all responsibilities MnDOT would retain would be required before it would go before the city council for any kind of a vote.