By Rich Larson, KYMN News
The Northfield City Council is moving forward on two major infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. During the regular Council meeting on Tuesday night, the council unanimously supported applying for a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) grant to fund the Lincoln Parkway Walking and Biking Improvement Project. The proposed grant, totaling approximately $2 million, would help cover the bulk of the estimated $3.6 million project cost, with the remainder funded through state aid—meaning no local tax dollars would be used.
The project focuses on Lincoln Parkway near Greenvale Elementary School and the Early Childhood Learning Center, where traffic safety has been a longstanding concern. Planned improvements include permanent curb bump-outs, a new school crossing with narrowed lanes, and roadway surface upgrades. Initially, the design called for separate pedestrian and bike paths, but the council opted for a single, wide shared-use path to reduce costs and simplify construction. Additional activated crossings at Linden Street were also requested to enhance safety.
Council members emphasized that the project aligns with Northfield’s comprehensive and strategic plans, prioritizing safety for all users while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Mayor Erica Zweifel praised the council’s commitment to designing for safety and stewardship of public funds, as well as the attention that each member of the council has clearly paid.
“I was so impressed with the caliber of discussion, the questions raised, the study cited, the comp plan came up multiple times, the strategic plan, and then everyone was holding on to the overarching goal of designing for safety for all users, and then also the fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers. So, and then just the tenor of the discussion, how we discussed our differing opinions, and then ultimately we found a path forward that the majority of the council felt was the best use of our resources to achieve our safety goals.”
In addition to the Lincoln Parkway project, the council approved plans and specifications for the Spring Creek Road construction project, which includes improvements at the intersection with Woodley Street. Safety at the intersection was a key topic, with recommendations for high-visibility crosswalks, advanced warning signs, and rapid-flashing beacons. Martig said the council is also asking Rice County to consider additional measures such as a four-way stop or a red HAWK signal system to further protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Martig: “Because we’re in partnership with the county, the council is interested in looking at the four-way stop as an alternative while also looking at speed reductions. Woodley is a county road, so the county would be responsible for that.”
Zweifel: “The Red Hawk (pedestrian crossing) system. The city engineer said it’s usually either-or. You either get a hawk system at a pedestrian intersection, or you get the stop signs. And I asked if anyone ever do a ‘Yes, And.’”
The city is hopeful to have the solicitation for bids out by the end of the month.
