Last fall I honked and gave thumbs up to MnDOT workers paving over rumble strips carved into the pavement between Grand Marais and Grand Portage.
When work stopped at the Brule River, I became concerned. When MnDOT engineer James Miles informed me that MnDOT had completed its mitigation, I became angry.
As a property owner, I am insulted, angry and very concerned about who Mn/DOT is, and is not, serving.
Our county board asked MnDOT to remove or mitigate all of these strips. The public was asked to be patient and allow MnDOT, which was giving every indication of being responsive, time to work.
According to Mr. Miles, five criteria were used to determine which sections of rumble strips would receive mitigation:
1. Higher housing density adjacent to
Highway 61
2. Proximity of Highway 61 to Lake Superior
(closer than 200 feet)
3. Location of longer passing zones near homes
4. Curve locations where drivers continuously cut the corner
5. Areas with wide shoulders that are used for walking or biking
These criteria are not consistent with MnDOT’s actions. State lands encompassing the Superior Hiking Trail, Paradise Beach, and the campground at Magney Park have been mitigated, but residents of Hovland and Grand Portage living along the highway have been overlooked. Property values of Lake Superior homes have been protected, but the property values and quality of life of citizens living along, and above the highway, have been sacrificed.
Why were Lake Superior properties of greater concern? Money? Political influence?
Mr. Miles assures me the economic status of affected property owners was not considered when decisions were made. I want to believe this.
MnDOT made a mistake when it installed rumble strips on scenic Highway 61. It did so without properly studying the effects on residents, wildlife and our tourism economy. They tried to mitigate the damage by appeasing a chosen few.
MnDOT’s initial plan does not call for filling any additional rumble strips east of Magney Park. Mr. Miles has indicated that this area could be reevaluated. A strong public voice will be needed to accomplish this. Please tell MnDOT (Jim Miles: 218-725-2789), your county commissioners, and state representatives that government cannot pick and choose who to treat with respect.
John Gorski
Grand Marais
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