Complete Streets in Minnesota communities
Hwy 19/College Dr in Marshall
Background
Highway 19 runs southeast-northeast through Marshall, MN. The reconstruction project will begin west of Marlene Street and continue through the intersection of Bruce Street. The project is currently in its final design phase and construction is expected to last two years, from 2025 to 2026.
In addition to repairing pavement and updating utilities, the community wanted to be able to get across town easily, safely, and without cars.
Marshall has a significant population of Somali, Hispanic, and Karen residents. MnDOT staff developed a targeted engagement approach to reach these communities.
Complete Streets elements
Curb extensions
Curb extensions, also called bulb outs or bump outs, extend a small section of sidewalk into the roadway at intersections or midblock crossings. Curb extensions increase safety and comfort by shortening the crossing distance and increasing visibility between drivers and people walking.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are considered safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternatives to signals. They reduce crossing distances for people walking through the intersection.
Pedestrian refuge islands
Pedestrian refuge islands, also called medians, can shorten the distance a pedestrian needs to walk, provide a place to stop safely, and help manage vehicle speeds at crossings. Refuge islands can drastically reduce pedestrian delay and vehicle conflicts by increasing the number of safe gaps that are available.
Landscaping and lighting
Amenity zones serve as a buffer between pedestrian and vehicle traffic and provide an inviting street environment. Improved lighting, trees, planters, benches, and create a strong street character.
Engagement materials
Complete Streets themes
Collaboration
MnDOT pursued diverse and creative public engagement strategies during this project. Project staff held meetings with the city in a variety of community gathering settings. This included meeting with local businesses, joining a school family event, door knocking, farmers market tabling, and attending Marshall’s national night out celebration. These initial efforts to help inform the project design are expected to continue as the project moves into construction to help keep the community informed. MnDOT also holds bi-weekly, in-person meetings with City staff to keep the lines of communication open.
Active Transportation
Lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian infrastructure are all being improved as part of the project. Stencils showing where bicyclists should use the road will reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on the street and alert drivers to the presence of bicyclists where the concrete edge ends and there are recreational destinations. Medians and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) will also be added to incentivize and protect pedestrians as they move through the area. Rectangular RRFBs include flashing lights that can be activated manually by a pedestrian to increase driver awareness of the presence of pedestrians at crosswalks, uncontrolled intersections, or mid-block.
Freight
Marshall sees significant freight movement due to highways US 59, MN 68, and MN 19. To support mobility for freight vehicles while also prioritizing safety for non-motorized traffic, lanes will be reconfigured, roundabouts are included to accommodate wide turns, and two signals will be removed.