Council asks staff to get costs for pedestrian underpass on Highway 59 to improve student safety

Bob Lan of Apex Engineering introduced a conceptual plan for a pedestrian underpass beneath Highway 59 to improve safety for students traveling between the high school (west side of 59) and the elementary school (east side). He said MnDOT is reconstructing Highway 59 and could potentially provide design assistance, and that federal Transportation Alternatives grant funding might cover a large share of costs.

The project is currently envisioned for 2028; Bob told the council preliminary work would include topographic review, drainage and ADA analysis, and coordination with school and MnDOT staff. He estimated the earliest grant application windows are this fall or early 2025 and emphasized that design assistance from MnDOT could reduce duplicated survey work.

Council members asked about the proposed location (council discussion favored a site just south of 7th Avenue), ADA slopes and drainage (how to keep an underpass from flooding), property acquisition needs and likely construction costs. The police chief and other councilors flagged maintenance and safety concerns common to underpasses—graffiti, loitering and lighting needs—and said mitigation would likely require lighting, cameras and regular upkeep.

Some council members suggested lower-cost alternatives such as improving and separating sidewalks and enhancing marked crossings, while others said this is the moment to consider capitalizing on reconstruction to do the work. Council voted to have staff seek pricing and report back to council for a further decision.

Next steps: staff will seek cost estimates, continue coordination with MnDOT and the school, and return to council with more detailed design and funding options.