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Resident urges improvements at Balserzak and Poele Road; planning group to host May 8 open house
Summary
A Mankato resident told the council March 24 that the Balserzak and Poele Road intersection is dangerous; councilmembers said the Mankato‑North Mankato planning organization (Maple) is conducting a traffic analysis and plans an open house May 8.
MANKATO, Minn. — During public comment at the March 24 Mankato City Council meeting, resident Alex Lumberman urged the council to pursue construction changes — such as a traffic signal or roundabout — at the Balserzak and Poele Road intersection, citing repeated near‑misses while walking, running and driving.
“I've almost gotten hit as a runner, as a walker, but also as a driver and a passenger,” Lumberman said, describing multiple instances of drivers “just blow[ing] right through the stop sign.”
City staff and councilmembers replied that the intersection is currently the subject of a traffic analysis by the Mankato‑North Mankato Planning Organization (sometimes referred to as Maple). Staff said Maple is handling the traffic analysis and public engagement this spring; if Maple’s study recommends changes, those recommendations could later be presented to the council for consideration. Staff indicated the analysis is not a city‑led construction project at this stage and that any physical changes would not be expected this year.
Councilmember Miller, who said the intersection is in his ward, thanked Lumberman for speaking and said the council has heard similar concerns from other residents: “It's it can be dangerous as you say. So council's taking it very seriously, and we will move forward with your thoughts in mind.”
Staff said they expect Maple’s open house to be May 8 and offered to confirm the date and share notice when available.
