Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Roundabout in the works between Lester Prairie and Winsted



Ivan Raconteur
Editor

WINSTED, MN – Planning to improve safety on Highway 7 and McLeod County Rd. 1 between Winsted and Lester Prairie is underway, according to Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, director of public engagement, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) District 8.

This is a joint project between MnDOT and McLeod County. Both groups worked together to submit the project for funding with federal safety dollars, and they have been notified that those safety funds were awarded for this project.

“This intersection has been the site of a number of crashes, with some that resulted in serious injuries. Over a five year period, between 2013 and 2017, there were 18 crashes at the intersection, which is more than what would be expected at this type of rural intersection,” Lighthizer-Schmidt stated.

“Roundabouts show an 86 percent decrease in fatal crashes, an 83 percent decrease in life-altering injury crashes, and a 42 percent overall decrease in the injury crash rate at intersections.

“Design for the roundabout at County Road 1 is just getting started, so we don’t yet know the exact size and configuration of the design, but expect it will generally look and work the same as the other roundabouts on Highway 7. It will be a single-lane roundabout. As part of the design process, we review the types and size of vehicles that use the intersection and design it so that the roundabout can accommodate those vehicles. We know there are larger trucks that use County Road 1 going to and from Lester Prairie, Winsted and beyond. We also evaluate past permits that have been issued for oversize vehicles that have traveled on Highway 7 to inform our design of the roundabout.”

“After we work this summer on the preliminary design, our current plan is to bring information to the public,” she noted.

Following the announcement, some local officials shared their reactions.

“The city supports the construction of the roundabout on Highway 7 and County Road 1, Winsted Mayor Steve Stotko commented. “Personally, I dislike roundabouts. However, having seen many near misses at that intersection, I’m convinced this will ultimately save lives.”

Winsted Police Chief Justin Heldt agreed. “Even though this intersection is not in our jurisdiction, we have assisted the McLeod County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol on many instances for accidents in the area of this location,” Heldt said. “I do support this change, and I hope that this change will increase safety for all that use this intersection.”

Lester Prairie Schools Superintendent Dr. Melissa Radeke, who joined the district in July 2019, noted, “I spoke with our former bus transportation director Brenda Gould, and she commented that Lester Prairie school bus routes have two buses that need to cross that intersection. Buses often have to wait quite awhile to get across safely. She thinks it would be beneficial, because roundabouts make traffic slow down from 60 mph to 30 mph, and therefore are much safer. It also keeps traffic free flowing, so bus routes could stay on time. She mentioned buses don’t have any problems navigating roundabouts.

Brenda commented that she thinks it is a great idea. ‘They get my thumbs up on this idea!’”

“As a school superintendent, I also support the roundabout, because it will mean keeping our students and families safer,” Radeke added.

Lester Prairie Police Chief Robert Carlson said he was not initially in favor of roundabouts, but due to improvements, he has seen local roundabouts that are effective, and has seen reduction in the number of crashes in the more than 20 years he has worked in this area.

He said he believes a roundabout on Hwy. 7 and County Rd. 1 would be a positive thing.

Watch future editions of Herald Journal for more information as this project develops.

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