Brainerd Authorities Want Records of Crashes at Oak Street Traffic Circles
Officials in Brainerd are considering making two temporary mini roundabouts on Oak Street permanent, but they want to see crash data before making any decisions. Last month, the City Council discussed the idea of keeping the roundabouts and directed staff to figure out the cost of an engineering and traffic study to determine if they should become permanent fixtures. The estimated cost for this study is between $25,000 to $30,000.
During the last council meeting on Sept. 8, council members had mixed opinions about the roundabouts. Council member Tad Erickson expressed concerns that making the roundabouts permanent could confuse residents since they were initially presented as temporary solutions. However, council member Kevin Yeager supported the idea of permanent roundabouts. Council member Gabe Johnson, who had previously praised the roundabouts as a daily driver, expressed uncertainty about them now, citing limited space and concerns about right-of-way acquisition if they were to be made permanent. Consequently, council members decided to ask staff to provide crash data from the last five years at each intersection before making any further decisions.
In addition to discussing the future of the roundabouts, the council approved various permits and events, such as a lawful gambling permit for Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity and event applications for different occasions in the city. They also authorized the fire department to apply for funding to install heavy-duty coating in the fire hall and accepted the resignation of an officer, authorizing the hiring of a new one. The council also approved various insurance renewals and proposals, as well as fee amendments and change orders for different projects in the city.
As the city of Brainerd continues to evaluate the future of the roundabouts on Oak Street, it remains essential to consider the safety and traffic flow of these intersections. By analyzing crash data from the last five years, officials will be able to make an informed decision about whether the roundabouts should be made permanent. Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other developments in Brainerd.
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