Council narrowly backs MnDOTrecommended Highway 371/34 alternative over roundabout concerns

The Walker City Council approved Resolution 35-2024 on Aug. 5, 2024, supporting the Minnesota Department of Transportation's recommended alternative for the Highway 371/34 Walker corridor study after a divided vote. Councilmember Gary Wilkening moved the resolution and Councilmember Mary Beth Hansen seconded; the motion passed 3-2 with Hansen, Councilmember Jim Senenfelder and Mayor Jerecho Worth voting in favor and Wilkening and Councilmember Char Moore opposed.

MnDOT representatives, including Matt Upgren, briefed the council on the study's findings and said the recommended roundabout option yielded better traffic-flow improvements during peak recreational periods than installing new traffic signals. Councilmember Wilkening raised concerns about potential traffic flow issues caused by a roundabout located near the 6th and 5th Street stoplights, and specifically cited the tight corner adjacent to Holiday Gas Station; MnDOT staff responded that the roundabout design would not worsen the existing tight corner and could slightly improve the configuration. Councilmember Senenfelder questioned single-lane roundabout queuing but was told the study projected less queuing with a single-lane roundabout than with signalized intersections.

Councilmember Moore said she was not in favor of roundabouts. The council debated trade-offs between peak-period performance and local traffic impacts, but did not amend the resolution. The resolution was adopted by a 3-2 roll call vote.

The council's approval endorses MnDOT's locally recommended alternative but does not, by itself, permit immediate construction; future design and right-of-way steps will follow MnDOT procedures and any required approvals.

The council moved on to other agenda business and adjourned at 6:46 p.m.