Proposed Sidewalk Under RR Bridge on 11th Ave SOTO: Ovide L. Laberge, Superintendent of Police
FROM: Calvin C. Johnson, Traffic Sergeant
DATE: August 17, 1981
SUBJECT: Proposed Sidewalk Under Railroad Bridge on llth Avenue South
I. PROBLEM
Pedestrians walking north and south on llth Avenue South are forced to step out into
the area used by vehicles when they get to the railroad bridge.
II. ASSUMPTIONS
Traffic will increase on llth Avenue South because of continued growth in the
Opus II area.
III. FACTS BEARING ON THE BROBLFM
A. The area under the railroad bridge on llth Avenue South was constructed without
pedestrians in mind.
B. Light conditions are nonexistant under the bridge and mediocre north and south
of the bridge.
C. llth Avenue South narrows under the railroad bridge.
D. The proposed construction will cause the road to become four feet four inches
(4'4") narrower.
E. Our 1981 accident pin may shows no accidents under this railroad bridge and I
do not recall any accidents ever happening there.
F. The 5th Street South and llth Avenue South intersection is somewhat blind when
looking to the north when coming off 5th Street South onto llth Avenue South.
G. Our 1981 Traffic Accident pin map shows five (5) accidents at the intersection
of llth Avenue South and 5th Street South for the first seven months of 1981.
H. The M. B. Hagen Little League Field is situated just south of the railroad bridge
on llth Avenue South..
I. The little league supervisors have been concerned over the years about kids from
the ball field running out onto llth Avenue South to chase a ball, etc.. They
have conveyed this concern to the police department. They are now placing bright
orange traffic cones in the middle of llth Avenue South to warn motorists of a
potentially dangerous situation.
J. The width of llth Avenue South is forty-four feet (44') except under the railroad
bridge where it becomes thirty --two feet (32') wide at its nar owist point.
K. There is an existing asphalt sidewalk on the west side of llth Avenue South. This
asphalt sidewalk starts about fifty feet (50') south of County Road 3 and goes to
the north side of the railroad bridge.
L. There is also a cement sidewalk on the east side of llth Avenue South. This goes
from County Road 3 to the White Motor west entrance.
M. The existing sidewalk on llth Avenue South from 6th Street South into Westbrooke
is on the east side of the street.
August 17, 1981
Page 2
N. There are four (4) existing reflectors; two (2) north and two (2) south of
the underpass (see pictures)
O. The railroad bridge is not on a true 90° angle with llth Avenue South which
further complicates things.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. It is quite likely that we have been very lucky in not having a pedestrian
struck in the area of the railroad bridge. A pedestrian that is southbound
on llth Avenue South will no doubt use the sidewalk provided on the west side.
Tnlhen this pedestrian gets to the railroad bridge he can't climb through the
wooden bridge supports so he steps out into llth Avenue South. In doing so
he is walking with traffic which is against the law (State Statute 169.21 Sub. 5).
Stepping out into llth Avenue South when a vehicle is southbound could be
critical or fatal. A reasonable and prudent person wouldn't do this, but an
inexperienced child, or a distracted child might. An intoxicated person might
also.
B. Snow may present a problem if the pedestrian walk is installed. If snow is
not blown or shoveled out of the new area, pedestrians will be out walking in
the street again.
V. CONCLUSIONS
A. The existing route provided for pedestrians on llth Avenue South between
County Road 3 and Westbrooke is adequate with the exception of the railroad
underpass area.
B. Snow that is left to pile up on the sidewalks will force pedestrians back into
the street where we don't want them, especially in this narrow, unlighted
railroad underpass area.
C. Some warning to motorists must be given if we are going to make the road narrower
and somewhat off center. This is especially necessary at night.
D. The area between 5th and 6th Streets on llth Avenue South is a "busy" area,
to wit:
1. Partially blind intersection at 5th Street South for traffic caning off
5th Street South so you can't see southbound traffic on llth Avenue South
because of a hill north of 5th Street South.
2. The roadway narrows from forty -four feet (44') to thirty -two feet (32') at
the railroad underpass. The only warning of this are two (2) black and white
reflectors about two feet (2') high and one foot (1') wide at each entry to
the underpass. Subtracting another four foot four inches (4'4 off this
will compound this problem.
3. The M. B. Hagen Field presents a problem in the spring and summer with the
possibility of kids running into the street. The north exit out of the
M. B. Hagen Field is totally blind because the west side of the railroad
underpass supports block the view to the north.
August 17, 1981
Page 3
C I. _ACTION RECOMMENDED
A. That the City of Hopkins install the proposed sidewalk and bean as indicated
in the drawing affixed to this report. See Exhibit (A)
B. That the City of Hopkins make application to the State of Minnesota Highway
Department to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph on llth Avenue South
from 5th Street to 6th Street South. The reason for this being the three
abnormalities described in Discussion "D
C. That lighting be provided underneath the bridge and two hundred feet (200')
on each end (north and south) of it that will simulate daylight as close as
possible.
D. That flashing amber lights be installed approximately fifty feet (50') from
the underpass on llth Avenue South on the north and south sides.
E. That well lighted "narrow road" or "road narrows" signs be placed about one
hundred feet (100') north and south of the underpass on llth Avenue South.
F. That the cement bean be painted with reflectorized paint (striped) so it is
easily seen.
G. That the City of Hopkins Street Superintendent make provision for keeping the
proposed new sidewalk clear of snow.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
One diagram of existing street without pedestrian walkway under bridge and
One diagram of proposed pedestrian walk and been under bridge.
Envelope containing three (3) polaroid pictures of the llth Avenue South
railroad underpass area.
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