Summary: Hwy 16/63 resident opinions, Dec. 2023

During the July 2023 community survey, we heard concern about impacts to residents and property owners between Tracy Rd. and Griswold St. We began an effort to directly contact residents and property owners to inform them and gather their thoughts.

Two letters were sent to each resident and/or property owner. Information about the project was provided. People were asked to attend a Dec. 7, 2023, meeting. The letter also provided instructions on how to share their input if they were not able to make the meeting. We know that not everyone received the letters or participated. Individuals who missed this opportunity are encouraged to contact Cindy Morgan at Cindy.Morgan@state.mn.us or 507-951-6593.

During the Dec. 7, meeting we provided a presentation on the proposed improvements, schedule, and design options under consideration. Below is a summary of the feedback we received.

Design options:

Residents/property owners were asked to provide feedback on their preferred design and rank the importance of corridor issues. Option D was the most preferred. Option A was the least preferred.

Most preferred: Option D
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No parking on either side or the road

A wide shoulder for bicyclists on both sides of the road
This would also benefit wider vehicles such as agriculture equipment

Sidewalks on both sides of the road

The narrowing of the road will naturally signal to drivers to slow down

This option has minor impacts to property
To allow for these roadway features and correct drainage issues, the construction limits (yellow line) would remain close to the right of way (red dashed line) on both sides of the road. This decreases the likelihood that property owners would experience impacts to their property

2nd preferred: Option C

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Parking on one side of the road and a wide shoulder for bicyclists on the other
- This would also benefit wider vehicles such as agriculture equipment
Sidewalks on both sides of the road
A slightly narrower road would naturally indicate to drivers to slow down
This option has some impacts to property
- To allow for these roadway features and correct drainage issues, the construction limits (yellow line) would extend beyond the right of way (red dashed line) on one side of the road. The construction limits would be closer to the right of way on the other side. This increases the likelihood that property owners would experience impacts to their property, but only on one side of the highway

3rd preferred: Option B
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Parking on one side of the road

A sidewalk one side and a multi-use trail on the other

A slightly narrower road would naturally indicate to drivers to slow down

This option has some impacts to property
To allow for these roadway features and correct drainage issues, the construction limits (yellow line) would extend beyond the right of way (red dashed line) on one side of the road. The construction limits would be closer to the right of way on the other side. This increases the likelihood that property owners would experience impacts to their property, but only on one side of the highway

Least preferred: Option A
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Parking available on both sides of road

Sidewalk available on both sides of road

Maintains the current width of the road. Number of speeding vehicles would likely not change

This option would have significant impacts to property
To allow for these roadway features and correct drainage issues, the construction limits (yellow line) would extend beyond the right of way (red dashed line). This increases the likelihood that property owners would experience impacts to their property on both sides of the highway

Corridor issues:

Ranked by feedback from most important to least important

Pedestrian/sidewalk improvements
Traffic calming/reducing speeds
Freight/agricultural traffic
On-street parking - one or both sides
Minimize impacts to property and/or vegetation
Bicyclists/bike facilities

Comments:

Please note, this is not a full list of all comments received.

Some expressed that there are no existing bike facilities to connect to on the ends of the corridor. They suggest ensuring those issues are also addressed if bike facilities are installed with this project
Bike facilities would not be used on such a busy road
Concerns about safety, especially large truck traffic, improper lane use, and winter maintenance
Some noted a need for parking for emergency, garbage and delivery vehicles
Others noted that parking is not needed and/or is not safe on this highway
Request for new/better street lighting
Suggestion to add turn lanes
Acknowledgement of issues at major intersections and support for a change