From:
John Finn
Date:
Jun 23 11:18 UTC
Short link
Mr. Hittner's latest map is pretty much what I was thinking when walking the
dog in that area this past weekend. Bob Sebo's observation about Riverview
no longer connecting to downtown in that scenario had not occurred to me
either. That could be fixed by sending a lane off east bound Riverview under
the secondary overpasses and westbound Riverview under the main span and
along the shoreline. Or lanes merging with the secondary ramps from Second
Street. However, would MnDot pay for something that elaborate whether or not
funds will actually be available?
Worst for my neighborhood would be if MnDot goes for the cheapest solution.
That would be an exact copy but with everything shifted one block west to
Huff. First, connect Riverview to Harriet so that traffic can continue to
use the current bridge during and after construction. This detour would end
up being permanent. Upon completion, every truck and highway route through
town is as before, but one block to the west, with the same sharp corners at
a two lane bridge entrance with a bit of street widening on Fourth by the
Lamberton Home.
If that location is used for a four lane bridge with "geometric
improvements" at the entrance (gradual, faster curves instead of stop and go
90deg Corners), then there's some decisions to be made about what gets
demolished. The blocks west and to the river from the YMCA might look
something like LaCrescent's recent project during construction, especially
if new incline standards require that the bridge extend to Fifth Street.
John Finn
(Hoping for a massive shift to electric cars so there's no longer any gas
tax money for MnDot to play with.)