08/24/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 14, 1989 Mr. Ken ;deltzein Ramsey County Engineer 3377 N. Rice Street St. Paul, MN 55126 Dear Mr Weltzein: I was directed to you after placing calls to both Mounds View City Offices and Ramsey County Public Works, and I wish to apprise you of my concerns regarding a potentially serious and dangerous situation. I refer to the section of Old Highway 8 in Mounds View, as it runs from the New Brighton/Mounds View City limits, north to the intersection of Highway 10 and County Road H, within Ramsey County. I drive and ride a bicycle, as do my children, frequently along that roadway. I have seen and been involved in accidents and close calls for accidents due to the narrow width of the roadway and unpaved shoulders. It is not possible to ride a bicycle on the sand shoulder. Because there is no other route to get to the southbound Highway 8 area from Mounds View, non -motorized traffic must use this dangerous course. As you are probably aware, Old Highway 8 was upgraded South of that location to four lanes and wide gutter areas, making it ok for bicycle traffic. But when it enters 11ounds View, for only a few city blocks, it is narrowed down to two lanes wide enough for only two motor vehicles to pass. Due to the industrial area in New Brighton, this road bears large trucks and many other vehicles. I have been forced off the road onto the shoulder more than once while bicycling, and have observed other close calls with bicyclists and pedestrians. Saturday, I was again forced into the freeway fence by a truck, and I fear it is just a matter of time before a child or other person gets killed. I learned that there are plans to change the roadway somewhat in the next few years and possibly something can be done then, but I don't think this is a situation that can wait. In the interim, I would like to see a paved shoulder added or a even a separate bicycle/pedestrian path or sidewalk away from the roadway, which could probably be retained even when the upgrade of the road does commence. Perhaps the City and County park departments can work together in finding a solution to the problem. I understand that New Brighton plans to add a bicycle path along Old Highway 8 in the very near future and is involved with park development around the Long Lake area. Additionally, there is much new industrial and business development in this area of Mounds View, with even more construction underway. These will surely increase the traffic and intensify the severity of this dangerous situation.