City of Northfield - File #: 26-399

• File #: 26-399
• Version: 1
• Type: Information/Discussion Item
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 7/8/2026
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 7/21/2026
• Title: Discuss Proposed Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Fillmore St., Hayes Dr., & Carter Dr.

City Council Meeting Date:                     July 21, 2026

To:                                          Mayor and Members of Council

                                          City Administrator

From:                                          David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer

Title

Discuss Proposed Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Fillmore St., Hayes Dr., & Carter Dr.

Body

Action Requested:                     

The Northfield City Council discusses and provides input on the Proposed Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Fillmore St., Hayes Dr., & Carter Dr.

Summary Report:

Due to concerns raised from the proposed Harvest Hill 2^nd Addition development, City staff have reviewed traffic safety concerns on Fillmore Street, Hayes Drive, and Carter Drive.  As the proposed development fell far short of triggering a formal traffic impact study, staff collected local data to directly inform interventions and solutions. The primary objective of the data collection was to review traffic speeds, pedestrian crossing safety, and patterns that could inform changes that may be needed to improve traffic and safety in the neighborhood.

Prior to school dismissal, the City collected vehicle speed data on Fillmore St/Hayes Drive, and Grant Drive as shown in the figure below. 

The data on the traffic speeds on both Grant Drive and Hayes Drive shows that an overwhelming majority of vehicles are moving below the 30 mph speed limit, indicating that drivers are not speeding in the neighborhood.

The City also collected pedestrian counts at three intersections; Roosevelt Drive and Hayes Drive, Hayes Drive and Fillmore Street, and Fillmore Street and Carter Drive.

The data from the pedestrian crossing count indicated the following recommendations.  More detail is provided in the attached report.

Roosevelt Drive and Hayes Drive

The recommendation is to mark the crossing on the south leg with high visibility crosswalk markings. When Roosevelt Drive receives a street rehabilitation project the pedestrian ramps should be upgraded to be ADA and a receiving ramp should be added for the trail crossing on the west leg.

Hayes Drive and Fillmore Street

Due to the low pedestrian crossing count and lack of crash history at this intersection the recommendation is to leave the crossings unmodified. Due to the skewed intersection geometry and the trail crossing on the north leg the recommendation is to replace the existing yield sign on the westbound approach with a stop sign. Long term recommendation is to review the intersection geometry when street rehabilitation work is being planned for this area.

Fillmore Street and Carter Drive

The recommendation would be to mark the west leg and south leg crossings with high visibility crosswalk markings and add pedestrian crossing signs to the south leg crossing. Pedestrian crossing signs are not recommended on the west leg due to this approach being stop controlled.

The City reviewed an All-Way Stop at Fillmore and Carter Drive.  The City follows guidelines in the MN Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MNMUTCD), and this documents provides the guidance consideration for an All-Way Stop.

MNMUTCD guidance for All-Way stop

•                     Warrant A - Crash experience

–                      5 or more reported crashes in a 12 months. No reported crashes in the last 10 years.

•                     Warrant B - Sight Distance

–                     In reviewing the intersection adequate sight distance is provided

•                     Warrant C - Transition to a signal

–                     No transition to signal proposed

•                     Warrant D - 8-hour volume

–                     300 units per hour for each of any 8 hours of a typical day for the major street, or 200 units per hour for any 8 hours from the minor street. Vehicle volume is not met, even with projected traffic from new development.

•                     Recommendation is to not install an All-Way stop

Final Summary of Recommendations and Next Steps:

•                     Add high visibility crosswalk markings to:

–                     The South leg of Roosevelt Dr. and Hayes Dr.

–                     The West and South legs of Carter Dr. and Fillmore St.

•                     Add crossing signs to the south leg of Carter Dr. and Fillmore St.

•                     Replace the Yield sign at Hayes Dr. and Fillmore St. with a stop sign

•                     Reassess after TH 246 turnback improvements are completed by the middle school (work with school district staff to encourage drop-off and pick-up in front of the middle school after the improvements)

City Plans & Policies Relevance:

Alternative Options:

Financial Impacts:                     

Tentative Timelines: