An open house at the Schroeder Town Hall at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 will give the public the opportunity to view design concepts for changes to the Temperance River Wayside.
Duane Lula of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, which is facilitating the planning, explained that there are some safety concerns at the Highway 61 wayside. Lula said the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) has long-range plans to replace the bridge over the Temperance River—in 10 or 20 years—but it is hoped that something can be done to the site in the meantime. “It’s pretty well recognized that the wayside rest needs work,” said Lula in a phone conversation with the Cook County News-Herald. “There are safety concerns with people parking and running back and forth to look at the river.”
The Temperance River Wayside currently has space for approximately 52 vehicles, but the parking spaces are not clearly defined and there is poor separation between the parking areas and Highway 61. One pedestrian crosswalk currently exists between the upper and lower facilities, but pedestrians are not channeled to use the designated crosswalk and people cross Highway 61 at numerous places.
Lula said in November of 2012, a steering committee was formed to address visitor safety and improved access and interpretation at the wayside. Members of the committee met with Certified Landscape Architect CJ Fernandez of LHB, Inc. who has developed the project, which proposes safety and aesthetic improvements to this popular and heavily used wayside, including changes to parking areas, interpretive panels, pedestrian paths and highway crosswalks.
The process to date has been funded through a Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program preliminary planning grant of $14,537, with a matching grant of $4,835 from MN/ DOT. Actual construction of the improvements is dependent upon future funding.
The steering committee includes Cheryl Erickson and Mary Somnis of the North Shore Scenic Drive Council; Cook County Commissioner Bruce Martinson; Todd Campbell, Mn/ DOT Highway 61 corridor manager; Schroeder Supervisor Bill McKeever; Tofte Supervisor Paul James; and interested citizens Steve Schug and John Bathke.
Steering committee members and Fernandez will be at the open house to explain the design concepts and answer questions.
Area residents, elected officials, and individuals interested in the wayside are encouraged to attend to give suggestions and feedback on the current proposal. More about the plan can also be seen online at www.arrowheadplanning.org. Under “Current Regional Planning Projects,” click Temperance River Design Project.
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