Tyler hill traffic signal sought

Talk about it

Red Wing City Council is considering placing a stoplight at the intersection of Fairview Boulevard and Tyler Road.

On Monday, the council approved a condominium development near the intersection that will likely increase traffic in the area.

That prompted first the Planning Commission at an earlier meeting and later the City Council to listen to the concerns of Ridgeview town homes residents who use the intersection.

The problem, they said, is that traffic from the east can appear suddenly because the intersection is near the crest of a hill and the angle of the road decreases the visibility of oncoming traffic.

“It’s a blind intersection from my definition of blind,” said Paul Tibisar who lives on Ridgeview Drive near the intersection.

Tibisar said speeders compound the problem.

“The posted speed on Tyler Road is 35 (mph),” Tibisar said. “I can guarantee you the average speed at this intersection is more like 45 (mph).”

The Planning Commission had suggested the council approve a four-way stop at the intersection. A number of council members said a stoplight might be better.

They don’t want traffic build-ups on Tyler Road, they said.

One reason is ambulances from the Fairview Red Wing Medical Center use the road. Another reason is the road was designed as an alternative to Highway 61 and shoppers heading to go to Wal-Mart and Menards use the road.

A stoplight is preferable because it could stay green to keep traffic flowing until a car from Fairview Boulevard came to the intersection, which would cause the light to change.

The concern about a stoplight is the cost.

The council directed City Engineer Ron Rosenthal to look into the price of a stoplight, which he said he plans to provide at their next meeting.

The Golden Bluffs Condominiums, whose conditional use permit the council approved Monday, won’t be completed for another one to two years.

The developer, Viren Gori of Golden Bluffs LLC, is working with investors to buy seven acres of land for $400,000 from the Red Wing Port Authority.

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