City council advocates for added stoplights
More stoplights required because of increased traffic
April 16, 2015
Eight accidents occurred near the intersection of Wooddale and 36th the week following the start of construction of Highway 100.
This marks the most accidents in this area ever, according to Jeff Jacobs, mayor of Saint Louis Park.
St. Louis Park city officials sent a letter to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) addressing these issues, petitioning them to install temporary traffic signals at the Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue.
Jacobs said the only obstacle preventing the installation of temporary traffic lights is MnDOT.
“It’s awful that it’s happening so close to the school,” Jacobs said. “We’re making enemies with perfect strangers,” Jacobs said. “I would have liked for them to install the traffic lights yesterday, but MnDOT isn’t cooperating.”
During the 8 a.m. peak hour, traffic on Lake Street is sometimes backed up almost two thirds of a mile.
One student affected by the construction is senior TJ Rempfer, whose route to the high school involves Highway 100. His current commute along with many of his classmates are pushed to smaller side streets, causing unprecedented levels of traffic.
“Highway 7 is the only road I can take now and then when I get onto Wooddale it’s really backed up,” Rempfer said. “It’s really bad leaving school later because of sports. During rush hour it’s way worse.”
According to Jacobs, City Council expects the need for traffic lights and plans on installing permanent ones within the next two years.
“We’re planning on installing permanent lights in the next year or two,” Jacobs said. “The Wooddale bridge was built with traffic signals in mind.”
Junior Grace Williams said she would be in favor of adding another stoplight, since the Highway 7 and bike trail intersection is dangerous, especially for runners, bikers and other trail users.
“As a runner it’s hard to cross the trail,” she said. “There are a lot of cars waiting to turn, and it gets very confusing.”
Until traffic lights are installed, Jacobs said drivers should be cautious in detours because of increased traffic.
“There has been an increase in collisions,” Jacobs said. “Fortunately no one’s been hurt, but it’s important to be careful.”
Given the significant increase in traffic, Cedar Lake Trail users report having difficulty in crossing.
