Rumble strips have been installed on the outside lane of Highway 61 for some time now—like these in the Lutsen area. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is now beginning to install the strips on the center line in an effort to decrease the incidents of head-on collisions.
East End residents are not happy about the new rumble strips recently installed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) on Highway 61 between Grand Marais and the Canadian border. The county board supported their opposition with a letter to Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Charles Zelle written September 4, 2013. On September 10, citizens were on hand to speak to the board personally about the matter during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Bob Carter thanked the board for the letter but asked for a resolution decrying the rumble strips. “For those of us who live there and hear them every day, day and night, they’re intolerable,” he said. People who live as far as two miles from the highway can hear them, he said. He said he had heard from over 60 people who are bothered by them. He had heard that they could have been installed differently or in different places to reduce the noise.
Commissioner Garry Gamble said they had presented the letter to the transportation commissioner at a recent meeting. The commissioner listened and was responsive, he said, and told them he had been hearing complaints from his own friends.
Gamble acknowledged that there are a lot of deaths on Highway 61 and said they want to protect public safety but also reduce the noise.
“We’re not opposed to public safety,” said Carter. He said people who move up here know the highway is there and are prepared for traffic noise. “There’s a huge difference between the sound of traffic and rumble strips,” he said.
If increasing safety is an important goal, said East End resident Jeff Larson, all speed limits could be reduced to 30 m.p.h. Is that any more ridiculous than putting rumble strips on all twolane county state-aid highways? he asked.
The letter to the transportation commissioner states, “It is our understanding that installing these rumble strips is in response to MnDOT’s directive to each district office to install rumble strips in the implementation of the ‘Toward Zero Death Safety Plan.’
“While the safety goal is one we support, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and many, many residents along Highway 61 have concerns about the negative impacts resulting from the length and location of these recently installed centerline rumble strips.”
The letter asks for data on the number and causes of Highway 61 accidents in Cook County. It suggests that the rumble strips will decrease quality of life and property values and negatively impact the tourist industry.
“Residents have shared that they cannot overstate the negative impact the irritating noise of vehicles crossing the rumble strips has created in their daily lives,” the letter goes on to say. “They are reporting serious disruption to their sleep, anxiety (wondering when the next rumble is coming), inability to concentrate (work, reading, music, conversation), and loss of their peace, quiet and tranquility.
“While difficult to measure, this noise pollution will unquestionably make homes in the affected area harder to sell and less valuable. It is likely that a significant number of buyers will refuse to even consider purchasing homes along this stretch of highway.
“…Tourists come to Cook County for beauty, peace and tranquility. Center line rumble strips certainly detract from the desired tourist experience. In addition, many of our county’s commercial lodging establishments and campgrounds are located along Highway 61 and may be deemed as undesirable for overnight stays. Negatively impacting our most important industry—tourism—is of serious concern.”
The board asks the commissioner to send MnDOT personnel to Grand Marais to discuss the issue at a public meeting. “We are optimistic that by working together to understand MnDOT safety goals, Cook County safety needs, and the concerns of residents and commercial establishments, that we are able to come to agreement on alternate solutions and options with minimal negative impact to our community,” the letter states.
The board took no action on the request for a resolution but will take up the matter at a future meeting.
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