Committee hears Medford officials and MnDOT on 55 mph segment near school; oral amendment adopted and bill laid over

Summary

Medford officials told the Senate Transportation Committee that a 55 mph posted segment immediately adjacent to a preschool–12 campus creates safety concerns; MnDOT officials defended their speed‑study methodology. The committee approved an oral amendment changing a draft numeric line and laid the bill over for further consideration.

Senate File 1102 (listed in the hearing as 1102) drew extended testimony on March 24 from Medford elected officials, the local school district and MnDOT engineers about a stretch of County State Aid Highway adjacent to a preschool–12 school campus where the posted and preferred speeds include segments of 30, 35, 45 and 55 mph.

Senator Jasinski, the bill sponsor, said the measure responded to repeated local concerns that a 55 mph segment sits directly in front of a school entrance at the crest of a hill. Danny Thomas, mayor of Medford, described the site: 14 buses enter the school each morning and afternoon; he said 432 vehicles enter the campus each day for drop‑off and pick‑up, with about 600 students dropped off and buses carrying about 350 students. Mayor Thomas said semitrailers hauling grain also pass the school on a downhill approach.

John Amhorn, chair of the Medford School Board, told the committee the entrances “sit right on the crest of that hill” and emphasized the safety concern for students and staff.

Represen…

Committee hears Medford officials and MnDOT on 55 mph segment near school; oral amendment adopted and bill laid over

Summary

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