Complete Streets in Minnesota communities
Hwy 21 in Jordan
Background
In the project planning and design phases, the project team determined that the curb lines of the street would remain the same. One of residents’ main concerns was a perceived speeding problem. A speed study was conducted, and the results did not support a speeding problem. Nevertheless, the speed study allowed staff to engage the community about what they wanted to achieve.
The roadway draws substantial pedestrian traffic as a commercial corridor for Jordan. Community members wanted to create a place where people wanted to be that also allowed traffic to move. This was achieved by calming traffic with reduced lane widths, reducing crossing distances at intersections, and providing a bike lane. Even with these traffic-calming measures, only one parking space was lost on the length of the project.
Complete Streets elements
Lane adjustment and bike lanes
Narrower travel lanes promote slower driving speeds, contributing to a safer roadway by reducing the severity of crashes and shortening crossing distance.
On-street bike lanes designate a preferential space for bicyclists through the use of pavement markings and signs.
This project included traffic-calming elements that addressed the perceived speeding problem without adding a large expense to the project, including bike lanes and reduced-width vehicle and parking lanes.
Curb extensions and improved crosswalks
Curb extensions — also called bulb outs or bump outs — extend a small section of sidewalk into the roadway at intersections or at midblock crossings.
In this project, curb extensions and improved crosswalks reduce pedestrian crossing distance, increase visibility for pedestrians and drivers, and cultivate more foot traffic for local businesses. Curb extensions were calibrated to accommodate turning movements by freight trucks and snowplows.
Before and after
Before
After
Complete Streets themes
Economics
Even with a narrow scope of work and small project budget, several improvements to the walking and biking environment were realized for the community.
Complete Streets elements provide a more welcoming streetscape for people walking and bicycling through Jordan’s downtown business corridor, bringing increased foot traffic to local businesses.
Active transportation
On-street bike lanes, improved crosswalks, and curb extensions provide safer places for people to walk and bike through downtown Jordan, encouraging active transportation. Shortening the crossing distance improves community connectedness and helps reduce the perception of the highway as a barrier.
Safety
Traffic calming to address residents’ and local businesses’ speeding concerns was a focus of the project. Narrowing travel lanes helps reduce vehicle travel speed. At lower speeds, drivers have a wider field of vision and are more likely to notice pedestrians and other road users. This can help reduce the likelihood and impact of crashes.
Freight
The roadway is a freight entry point for Highway 169. MnDOT staff worked with advocates representing both freight and pedestrian groups to meet the corridor’s needs. The end product reduced crossing distances for people walking, while also ensuring that turning radii met freight vehicle needs by calibrating each ramp.
Additional example
In 2020-21, Highway 25 from Mayer, MN to Watertown, MN underwent a resurfacing/reconstruction project. In Mayer, sidewalks were upgraded to meet ADA standards, sidewalk widths were increased, and parking lanes were narrowed. In Watertown, sidewalks were added on both sides of the street as part of Main Street reconstruction funding.