Council accepts MnDOT intersection study for Highway 25; Christianson opposes left‑turn restriction

The City Council voted to accept an Intersection Control Evaluation for State Highway 25 between 7th Street and River Street, a step staff said would allow MnDOT to begin preliminary design work consistent with the study’s recommendations.

Public Works Director and City Engineer Matt Leonard explained that acceptance of the report would permit MnDOT to proceed with preliminary design; the study recommended restricting left turns from 7th Street onto Highway 25 while maintaining left turns from Highway 25 onto 7th Street to improve safety and traffic flow. Councilmember Charlotte Gabler asked for continued collaboration to address local impacts. The motion to accept the report carried 4‑1; Councilmember Kip Christianson voted against the motion, saying he wanted MnDOT to reconsider the proposed changes and return with a more developed approach to mitigate impacts on the commercial corridor.