By Joyce Moran
Anyone who has tried to get onto Highway 27 from LeMieur/16th Street NE by McDonalds and Perkins knows the attempt could result in regrettable circumstances. Add to this current situation the coming of a housing development and a possible Wal-Mart Superstore just a little east of the intersection, the need for changes and additions to Highway 27 East is painfully apparent. In their wish to get some professional planning for the future highway and area, the Little Falls City Council members approved the hiring of a traffic engineer. At their Monday evening planning meeting, they received their first report from Kevin Hoglund of Bonestroo Rosene Anderlik and Associates of St. Paul. Presenting a possible concept drawing, Hoglund said, “Changes likely will be needed.” Continuing, he then squashed the council’s wish to have traffic lights at LeMieur/16th Street NE. “The number (of vehicles coming off those streets) doesn’t warrant traffic lights. If 4,000 vehicles on 27 are moving along undeterred, then the 25 that have to wait on LeMieur aren’t going to warrant a light there.” As for vehicles wanting to make a left turn off LeMieur Street, Hoglund suggested drivers go down to Mary Ann Avenue and cross over to 18th Street by Wal-Mart and get onto the highway at that intersection. “Traffic is like water,” he said. “It goes where it can.” He further pointed out that, with traffic lights planned for the intersection of 18th and Highway 27, drivers could take a right off LeMieur, go down to 18th and make a U-turn. Turning to the traffic lights at the end of the nearby off-ramps,which the council would like to see removed, Hoglund asked, “Why were they put there? When were they put there?” The answer to the latter question was, “Ten years ago.” To this he replied, “I’ve never seen Mn/DOT take out lights that have been up for 10 years.” Hoglund further pointed out that Mn/DOT does not like to see traffic backed up from an off-ramp onto the highway. Acknowledging that heavy traffic during a special event like the Arts and Crafts Fair might make this happen, Dennis Kukowski said, “We could get a traffic cop for such instances.” To the question of having the off-ramp from Highway 10 north come out onto LeMieur Street, Hoglund explained that, even though it is found in the Twin Cities, MN/DoT does not like off-ramps coming out onto city streets. Addressing the possible plans for 18th Street which will lead to the housing development and possible superstore, Hoglund’s map showed seven lanes on Highway 27 as it comes from the east. These would include two lanes going east, two left-turn lanes onto 18th Street for traffic going east, two lanes for traffic going west and one right-turn lane onto 18th Street for cars going west. There would also be traffic lights at the intersection. East of the intersection, the highway would go back to two lanes. Another concern was then brought up by Hoglund. “You’ve got those driveways coming out onto 27 (Champs, etc.),” he said. “Mn/DOT hates those. Try to find some alternatives for those access points.” The city’s cost for the eventual Highway 27 East project has been put at $600,000. In concluding, the council members appeared to agree that, if they couldn’t get traffic lights at LeMieur/16th Street, they didn’t want the lights at the off ramp removed. Still, Mike Doucette said, “I still think now is the time to push for lights on 16th.” Hoglund stated he would look into why lights were put at the off-ramps and what the number of existing cars is that use the ramp. A public hearing on an eventual plan has been set for Aug. 15.
