City Council Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
City Council discussion on the Woodley Street and Spring Creek Road Intersection.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council discusses the Woodley Street and Spring Creek Road Intersection.
Summary Report:
Northfield City Council approved the Feasibility Report for the project at the February 4, 2025, City Council meeting via Resolution 2025-018, however, during the meeting staff indicated a broader traffic safety review of the intersection Woodley Street and Spring Creek Road.
Bolton and Menk, Inc. performed a Traffic Safety and Stop Analysis prior to the Feasibility Report and has since updated the report (Attachment #2).
The updated report finds that the intersection of Woodley Street and Spring Creek Road does not meet the criteria for All-Way Stop Warrants based on traffic volumes or crash history. Sight-line analysis identified sight line issues for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, almost exclusive from the north leg (southbound approach) due to vegetative obstructions at the intersection and the roadway curvature. The speed study shows that speeds near the intersection along Woodley Street are higher than the posted speed limit, increasing the crash risk and indicating that sight lines are even longer.
Overall, the findings support the following proposed safety improvements to enhance accessibility and reduce risk for all users at the intersection of Spring Creek Road and CSAH 28/Woodley Street:
A. Review intersection lighting to provide adequate nighttime lighting levels.
B. Improve the pedestrian crossing planned for the east side of the intersection to include high visibility crosswalk markings, crosswalk warning signs, advance stop for pedestrian signs, and advance crosswalk warning signs.
C. Maintain the two-way stop control and trim or remove bushes and trees to improve sight lines.
D. Implement a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) for the pedestrian crossing if two-way stop control is maintained.
E. Implement a dynamic speed feedback sign (DSFS) for the westbound direction in advance of the intersection.
F. Implement all-way stop or roundabout control when warranted due to a traffic volume increase or if there is a decrease in safety that could be rectified by a change in traffic control.
The recommendation is to implement A-E on the initial project. The Options under F would be recommended due to all-way stop or roundabout control when warranted due to a traffic volume increase or if there is a decrease in safety that could be rectified by a change in traffic control.
Alternative Options:
Staff would be open to any additional alternatives City Council may bring forth.
Financial Impacts:
Initial intersection improvements were included in the approved Feasibility Report.
Tentative Timelines:
Staff will include recommended intersection improvements in the final design.