Proposed Consideration of Traffic Signal Removal

Comments from the Public Input Meeting are now being compiled.  Staff will bring the comments and recommendations back to the Transportation Commission in December.

The Final Report for the I-494 Parallel Route Optimization Project (PRO) is available HERE.

76th Street and Upton Avenue

At their October 5, 2011 meeting, the Transportation Commission voted unanimously in support of a recommendation to the City Council for consideration of the removal of traffic signal control at the intersection of 76^th Street & Upton Avenue, following a public information meeting.

Basis for Recommendation

The signal timing for all signals along 76^th and 77^th Streets were adjusted in June as part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Parallel Route Optimization Project.  The timing adjustments at 76^th Street and Upton Avenue have caused the following:

• The maximum wait time for traffic on Upton Avenue has increased from 50 seconds to 140 seconds.
• Several residents have called to report the signal broken.
• Many drivers have illegally proceeded through the red light, either out of impatience or belief that it has malfunctioned.
• Vehicles are grouping or “platooning” on 76^th Street during peak periods.  Before the timing changes occurred in the corridor vehicles used to be fairly spread out making it difficult to cross or enter 76^th Street, now vehicles are grouped together resulting in larger gaps. 
• A decrease in wait times at stop sign controlled intersections of less than one minute, in many cases under 30 seconds, to enter or cross 76^th Street.
• A reduction of traffic levels on Upton Avenue at the signal.
• Observation of the area and comments from residents show that drivers are now using other intersections to cross or enter 76^th Street due to shorter wait times experienced at stop signs when compared to the Upton signal.

Public Input Opportunity

Consistent with the Commission’s recommendation, staff has scheduled a neighborhood meeting in order to:

• Notify the residents of the signal timing changes and resulting impacts.
• Collect feedback on the Transportation Commission’s recommendation to remove the signal that will be provided to the City Council for use in their consideration of the removal.

The Public Input Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 9^th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. Richards Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue South.

Council Consideration

The City Council will receive the neighborhood feedback prior to considering the Commission’s recommendation at the Council meeting on November 22, 2011. 

Please contact Jeff Pearson, Transportation Engineer, at 612-861-9791 or email  with questions.