2012 Fall Source - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Fall 2012 City Hall - 3800 Laverne Avenue North - Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 (651) 747-3900 The recent closing of the St. Croix Bridge and the con- struction of the I-694 ramp system has made Lake Elmo a popular route for motorists trying to find a con- venient way to and from work each day -- a phenome- non that has caused a treacherous traffic environment. In response to the increase in traffic and many concerns by residents, the City Council of Lake Elmo has taken two specific actions to calm traffic. On Wednesday September 5, 2012, the City Council allocated $7500 for additional traffic enforce- ment and speed control. For 30 days in September and November, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department has dedicated one officer from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. to traffic control. Deputies have been focusing their efforts on Lake Elmo Avenue, STH 5, 30th Street, 10th Street, and Demontreville Trail. In addition, the Minnesota State Patrol has increased their efforts on STH 5. At the time of this writing more than 120 speeding citations and warnings have been issued during this concentrated effort. 26 of the citations/warnings have been issued to Lake Elmo residents. On September 14th, the City Council adopted a four point traffic calming policy to create some long-term solutions to increased volume. The Council voted to: 1. Adopt a “zero tolerance’ traffic enforcement policy for posted speed limits in Lake Elmo; 2. Encourage Washington County to reduce the speed limit on Lake Elmo Avenue to 30 MPH between 20th Street and STH 5; 3. Encourage MNDOT to reduce the speed limit on STH 5 to 45 MPH from Jamaca Avenue; to Klondike and 30 MPH from Klondike to Manning Avenue; 4. Encourage MNDOT to complete a scheduled “Road Safety Audit” on STH 5 as funds becomes available. The Road Safety Audit is the result of concerns brought by advocates, led by former Lake Elmo Planning Com- missioner Jennifer Pelletier, to create a safer traffic en- vironment around Lake Elmo Elementary School. “We are working closely with MNDOT and Wash- ington County Highway officials to best understand what we can do to create a safer traffic environment on State Highway 5. Due to the downtown nature of this stretch of road, drivers almost get lulled into a false sense of security and then wind up having to react quickly to a high rate of speed. The Road Safety Audit will help us address this issue” - Jennifer Pelletier The City Council also has also budgeted an additional $70,000 of future tax levy to be used for traffic enforce- ment if the current concentrated law enforcement re- duces speeding on Lake Elmo streets. The funds would be used for a dedicated traffic officer to be provided by Washington County. City Council Makes Traffic Safety Priority Number One “Making a left turn onto State Highway 5 from Lake Elmo Avenue is almost impossible”. The City of Lake Elmo is using its speed trailer to gather speed data to determine if concentrated enforcement has calmed traffic. Staff will analyze the data to de-termine if speeds were impacted by enforcement and make a recommendation to the City Council on whether to expend the additional funds in 2013.