Rural intersection lighting can reduce crashes.
Photo credit: Christopher Edwards, University of Minnesota

Project Description

• Federal Highway Safety Grant - $310,000
• One-time Federal Safety Grant Lighting Project
• Upgrades to lighting at rural intersections and trail crossings on county highways.
• 25 intersections planned
• Project Partners -- MnDOT; Xcel Energy; and Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC)
• Starting June 13th, the intersections of Highway 10 at Highway 59 (Main St) and Highway 59 (Main St) at Airport Rd/10^th Street will have new signal controller cabinets installed which will cause blackout conditions for the day at each of the intersections. These intersections will also have the five section heads replaced with the flashing yellow heads. We will also upgrade the pedestrian crosswalks and buttons to APS (Accessible Pedestrian Signal) standards at the intersection of Highway 59 (Main St) at Airport/10^th St. These two intersections, as well as the Highway 59 (Main St) at Village Way (Target Entrance) will have the detection upgraded from buried vehicle loop detection to video detection. There might be a week of timed signal changes instead of actuated timings while the cameras are being installed. This portion is anticipated to be finished by mid-June.

Project Goals

• Improve traffic safety for nighttime and dark conditions
• Upgrade lighting to enhanced design standards
• Minimize light trespass and light pollution

Background

• The County applied for and was awarded a state and federal safety grant for this safety project.
• 25 intersections were prioritized as a first phase.
• Locations were chosen based upon safety data, traffic volumes, and complex road conditions.
• Project Partners include MnDOT, FHWA, Xcel Energy and Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC).
• Xcel and MVEC, the electric service utility providers for this project, are providing and installing the new lighting by contract with the County.

Location Maps

• Map of locations
• List of Locations

Locations Selected - Criteria

Basic Requirements:

• Rural intersection on County road
• High speed (45 mph-plus)
• In service area of electric service provider (Xcel, MVEC)

Qualifying Criteria:

• Listed in County Roadway Safety Plan (System Plan)
• Daily Traffic - Special Generators
• Crash History - Road Risk Factors
• Complex Road Design - Poor Sight Lines - Unique Conditions

• Note:  Locations screened and prioritized as a first phase based on available funding.

Construction / Installation

• Tentatively planned for mid-summer 2022 to and through 2023
• Subject to material availability, supply chain issues
• Subject to Project Partner Schedules

Reports & Documents

• Technical Highway Safety Grant Application available upon request.
• MnDOT - Local Road Research Board (LLRB) - Intersection Lighting Tech Sheets -
  • Rural Intersection Media Reports
  • Safety Impact Reports
  • Utility Service Providers by Commissioner District

Traffic Impacts

• No current Impacts. 

What to Expect

• Lane and shoulder closures once the project locations begin. Timeline to be determined.
• Access to residents and businesses will be maintained throughout the duration of construction.