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Highway Department to de-activate Sleepy Eye stoplights

SLEEPY EYE — Motorists on Highway 14 in Sleepy Eye will no longer need to stop at the intersection with 1st Avenue after Aug. 7.

However, cross traffic on 1st Avenue will need to comply with a stop sign before entering the intersection, when it is clear. The evaluation and proposed removal of the signal is to improve traffic flow and safety. Current and forecasted traffic at the intersection is not high enough to warrant replacing the aging signal, which was installed in 1971.

As part of the deactivation of the signal, MnDOT will be installing pedestrian-activated flashing warning signs to facilitate pedestrian crossings.

According to MnDOT, replacing the signal with the through-stop control (a two-way stop) is expected to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes, based on crash records from other urban through-stop controlled intersections with similar traffic volumes. It is believed that through-stop controlled intersections have fewer crashes because motorists are required to be attentive and actively look for a safe gap in traffic, rather than relying on a traffic signal indication that does not tell the motorists if it is safe to enter the intersection.

Replacing the signal with through-stop control will also reduce delays for both motorists and pedestrians at the intersection.

Crews from the Minnesota Department of Transportation will remove the signal indications on Aug. 7 and will add the following signs:

• Traffic Control Change Ahead – on all intersection approaches

• Stop ahead warning signs – on both 1st Avenue approaches

• Stop Signs with flashing LED lights – on both 1st Avenue approaches

• Cross traffic does not stop – on both 1st Avenue approaches, below the stop signs

In conjunction with the signal deactivation, MnDOT will be evaluating the traffic operations of the revised intersection over the next few months.

If during the evaluation no adverse traffic impacts are observed by MnDOT, the signal will remain deactivated until it can be removed with the Highway 14 resurfacing project in 2018. In addition to the expected crash and delay benefits, the removal of the signal will also result in cost savings to the city of Sleepy Eye and MnDOT.

The traffic signal two blocks to the west at the intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 4, which has higher traffic volumes, will be replaced with the resurfacing project scheduled in 2018. MnDOT Project Manager Robert Jones can be contacted about projects on Highway 14 in the Sleepy Eye and Springfield area at 507-304-6198 or Robert.jones@state.mn.us .

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