Traffic study recommends radar signs, painted corners and temporary bump-outs after Second Street speed testing

City staff presented a traffic study of Second and Third streets that found higher-than-expected speeds and recommended a phased set of low-cost measures, including radar-activated speed signs, painted intersection corners and temporary curb bump-outs to slow traffic and improve sight lines.

Mark Westhoff, the city manager, summarized the study prepared by on-call engineering consultant Benesch. He said the study used one weekday (a Tuesday during the school year) for counts and speed data. Second Street had a one-day vehicle count of 3,675 vehicles; the 80th-percentile speed on Second Street was 37 miles per hour (the posted limit is 30 mph), and the top recorded speed was 67 mph during the midday collection period. The study reported 28 crashes along Second Street over five years, including four injury crashes. Third Street had a much lower count (537 vehicles for the study day), an average speed of about 24 mph, an 80th-percentile speed near the 30-mph limit, and nine crashes in five years with no injuries recorded.

Engineers recommended against widening streets, removing parking or converting streets to one-way traffic because those changes can increase speeds and create other safety problems. Instead, staff recommended an incremental approach for Second Street that begins with temporary, low-cost measures: radar-activated speed signs (solar powered), yellow paint at high-risk intersections (Third & Santa Fe, Third & Laramie), and temporary curb bump-outs at painted intersections (Laramie, Riley and Mound) to prevent parking too close to intersections and to create "horizontal pressure" that encourages slower driving. The study also suggested adding a protected pedestrian crossing near Kearney on Second Street where ADA access exists and many pedestrians—students and college staff—cross to reach Benedictine College and Saint Benedict School.

David Grama, a resident who spoke during the public forum, had asked the commission earlier to reduce the speed limit on a nearby Third Street segment between Division and Harper Drive to 20 mph, citing children crossing and delivery trucks. Grama’s comment was raised in the later traffic discussion as context for neighborhood concerns about speed on narrow residential streets.

Commissioners discussed enforcement and timing; staff said some measures could be implemented this fall depending on the street budget, while others might wait until next year. The engineering firm estimated the study cost around $8,000 (figure stated in discussion). Specific implementation-cost examples mentioned in the meeting included a solar radar speed sign priced at roughly $3,800–$4,000 each. Temporary bump-out devices and painted intersections were discussed as lower-cost first steps; permanent raised crossings or concrete work would require larger investments and considerations (e.g., snowplow impacts).

Why it matters: The study identifies an identifiable speed and crash problem on Second Street with implications for pedestrian safety near schools and Benedictine College and recommends low-cost, reversible measures the city can try before committing to larger infrastructure changes.