|
Mn/DOT sticking to its guns on speed limit increases in county
|
|
|
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Using a portion of the old saying “You can’t fight City Hall,” Houston County Sheriff Doug Ely informed the county board there really isn’t a lot the county can do regarding Mn/DOT increasing the speed limits through Sheldon and Black Hammer.
“I spoke with some Mn/DOT officials and they said if we don’t adhere to the new speed limit recommendations, the county will lose its state highway funding and any tickets we write for those areas won’t hold up in court,” Ely said during the Oct. 27 county board meeting.
“I don’t think there’s a lot we can do,” Ely continued. “Although Rep. Greg Davids said he will request Mn/DOT to reconsider.”
The issue surfaced during the Oct. 13 county board meeting when Highway Engineer Brian Pogodzinski reported Mn/DOT had recommended increasing the speed limit on CSAH 4 through the unincorporated village of Black Hammer from 45 to 55 miles per hour and on CSAH 10 through Sheldon from 30 to 45 mph.
Commissioner Tom Bjerke said he was totally against increasing the speed limit through Black Hammer. He noted that the church is located on one side of the county road and the parsonage on the other. There are still a number of homes in the tiny village and a township road intersects with CSAH 4 in Black Hammer.
Ely said he was against both speed limit increase recommendations. He said quite a few motorists use CSAH 10 through Sheldon Valley instead of State Highway 76 because the curves are so sharp and the deep drop-offs along Badger Hill.
“We’ve had complaints and set up radar patrols in Sheldon,” Ely noted.
“This just doesn’t make sense,” Commissioner Jack Miller said. “Why would Mn/DOT want to create a dangerous situation?” Miller went on to point out Mn/DOT listened to requests to have a semaphore located north of La Crescent where I-90 intersects with local highways, and also put in an overpass near Coates in Dakota County on Highway 52 after receiving numerous complaints.
Pogodzinski said unless Mn/DOT changes its mind, the county will have to change the speed limit signs right away. He did point out the county could put up “advisory speed” signs, cautioning motorists about the intersection in Black Hammer and additional traffic in Sheldon.
Several members of the county board didn’t feel the issue was over, however. Bjerke and Miller said they were going to contact Mn/DOT officials and continue to plead the county’s case.
In other board action:
Wetland application approved
After listening to a presentation by representatives of the City of Houston, SWCD Manager Ralph Tuck and Environmental Services Officer Rick Frank concerning developing a wetlands area, the board approved the application.
The City of Houston is proposing to build up a wetlands area located on the east side of town, just south of Highway 16 and locate two baseball fields there. The project would include filling portions of a wetland and ponding basin.
According to Frank, the fill needed for the project will actually create another ponding basin adjacent to the new ball fields.
“What they’re really doing is just some land switching,” Frank said. “A portion of this land was part of the Army Corps of Engineers flood control project. The same amount of land will still be used…it will just be moved.”
Frank pointed out that a grass ball field is a much better way to utilize this area than a housing development, and probably better than if the land was farmed with the pesticides and herbicides used.”
Bjerke asked if there would be a parking issue on Highway 16. Houston representative Randy Thesing said state law prohibits any buildings being closer than 75 feet to a highway right of way. He said bleachers or any other buildings would be farther back from the highway. He added a large gravel parking lot is also in the plans.
The group said there is a need for additional ball fields in Houston, since the only current ones are owned by the school district.
“We’d like to host tournaments in the summer, Little League Baseball and also use it during Hoe Down Days,” Thesing added.
The board approved a certification of exemption for the project.
Detour route approved
The board approved an agreement with Mn/DOT to have Highway 16 from Hokah to Houston detoured next summer on CSAH 21 and 9. The state plans to do a mill and overlay project on Highway 16 next summer. Work will begin as soon as school is out for the summer next June. The project will take an estimated 79 working days.
Mn/DOT will pay the county $16,982 for use of the two county roads.
When asked how the state arrived at that figure, Pogodzinski explained the amount of traffic, the condition of the two county roads and the number of days traffic will be detoured are used to determine the amount of compensation.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
