Agenda - Council - 08/12/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MnDOT Office of Traffic Engineering Attn: Eric Peterson, P.E., Metro District Signing Engineer 1500 W. Co. Rd. B-2 Roseville, Mn. 55113 RE: Citizen Request for Signage and Safety Improvements — Highway 47 Dear Mr. Peterson, The City has become aware of a dangerous traffic condition located on Highway 47/St. Francis Boulevard within the City's boundaries and under MnDOT's administration as a State highway. The City is also aware of a petition by the relatives of the late Mr. Timothy Vlasyuk to MnDOT for the installation of additional safety improvement features at that location. The City has an interest in protecting and improving the safety of all drivers using roads within the City, especially on roads frequently used by the City's residents and visitors. After reviewing the situation thoroughly, the City makes this formal statement of support for the Vlasyuk Family's request. The City's staff, including its police officers, are aware of the layout of the road at this location and the City has also reviewed the Minnesota State Patrol reconstruction report of the accident which took Mr. Vlasyuk's life. At this location, a dividing median ends between two driveways adjoining the northbound lane, which are used by commercial operations including a truck rental facility. This site is also near to the intersection of Highway 47 and Alpine Drive. The nearest place to make a safe and legal turn from the northbound lane is nearly out of sight from the commercial driveways and the end of the median. It is evident to the City that drivers proceeding northbound on that road, especially if they are entering the road from the adjacent commercial driveways at Ken's Repair and Sales, Inc. property and the U-Haul rental lot associated with it, are likely to make a U-Turn at that location or make a left turn out of the northern driveway at that business. It is critically important that additional measures be implemented to mitigate this situation and prevent or warn drivers away from making these dangerous maneuvers at this location. The Vlasyuks have requested that MnDOT install a "No U-Turns" sign among other improvements. At minimum, a "No U- Turns" sign will at least remind drivers who might be unfamiliar with this area to continue on and find a safe place to turn. There are already sign posts at the end of the median that would present an ideal location to mount a sign facing the northbound traffic. The Vlasyuk's proposals have the support of the City of Ramsey and its Council, and we urge MnDOT to carefully and consider the benefits of additional preventive measures. One life is already too many to lose from preventable accidents. Sincerely, Ryan Heineman, Mayor Brian Hagen, City Administrator