Resident presses Edina for flashing crosswalk and clearer speed signs on Eden, Vernon avenues

Nancy Greer told the council Sept. 2 she has been working with the city’s traffic safety coordinator for two years to get improved crosswalk safety at Eden Avenue and the Grandview business district, and asked the council to install an advanced traffic flasher similar to one on Valley View Road and to trim trees that obscure speed limit signs approaching the business district.

Greer said seniors and schoolchildren use the Grandview Business District and that drivers cannot see the changing speed‑limit signs approaching Vernon and Eden because of tree cover. She told council she had emailed members on July 24 and received one reply from Representative Yuakim but no city responses. After Greer finished, the mayor and city manager provided an update: the crosswalk equipment was ordered in June, and staff said every component had arrived except the flashing beacon. Staff said they are contacting the vendor in Milwaukee and may send a staff member to pick up the beacon because the vendor’s next delivery date is in September; electricians are ready to install the unit and the installation could have occurred previously if the beacon had been delivered.

Council members and staff also agreed to have city crews inspect and trim trees on Eden Avenue to restore visibility to speed signs; they noted some signs on Vernon Avenue are on county‑maintained right‑of‑way and staff will contact county counterparts. The city manager said staff will respond to commenters by the end of the week and follow up at the next council meeting on the broader status of outstanding requests.

Greer thanked the council for the update; staff did not provide a firm installation date but said they would work to accelerate the beacon’s delivery and installation.