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St. Peter seeks federal and state funding for multiple street projects, council presses MDOT on speeds
Summary
The council authorized staff to pursue federal and state grants for South Third Street and other corridor improvements, approved a feasibility study for North Fourth and asked state partners not to increase speed limits on trunk Hwy 169 as part of design work.
The St. Peter City Council on Nov. 24 authorized staff to pursue federal and state funding for several transportation projects and directed designers to emphasize multimodal and calming elements as part of regional partnerships.
Pete, a public‑works staff member presenting the transportation items, said the South Third Street reconstruction is a roughly $2.46 million project; the city would apply for Area Transportation Partnership (ATP/STP) funds in January and would typically provide a 20% local match if successful. Pete also noted an existing Transportation Alternative grant of $575,000 targeted at traffic calming, ADA improvements and alternative transportation along the corridor.
Council authorized a Bolton & Menk feasibility and engineering study for a two‑block North Fourth Street project (Chattam to Scarrow) with an engineering authorization of $70,000; staff said the work would be structured as a Minnesota Statute 429 assessment project if proceeded to construction.
On trunk highway 169, Pete briefed the council on ongoing coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Council members voiced concern that MDOT projects can sometimes trigger higher posted speeds after reconstruction; council member Sharstrom and others asked staff to make clear in the city's correspondence that the council opposes any speed increase. Staff said MDOT design elements such as narrowed lanes, medians and traffic calming are intended to discourage increasing speeds and that MDOT had indicated it would not conduct a speed study as part of this immediate project phase.
The council also approved submittal of an HSIP (Highway Safety Improvement Program) application to pursue about $750,000 toward a roundabout at Washington and Broadway — an estimated $2+ million project — with staff noting pedestrian safety, crossing lighting and street lighting would be considered during design. A separate state local‑road improvement application for the same intersection was also authorized.
Council members asked staff to continue community outreach about traffic impacts and to document the council’s opposition to any speed increases in letters to the district engineer. If grants are awarded, project timelines will depend on federal/state schedules and required local matching funds.
