Crosswalk Safety Improvements Planned for Crystal’s Busiest Street
Along 36th Avenue, just west of Highway 100, is what Crystal officials say is the busiest street in the city. About 18,000 cars per day use this stretch of road. Police often patrol the five-lane road because of various traffic concerns. Officials want to improve crosswalk safety on 36th Avenue.
“The bridge is higher, kind of high up on the street, so you have a lot of sight line issues,” said Crystal police Sgt. John Kurtz.
Sgt. Kurtz says Crystal police issued seven citations on Thursday morning alone, some for speeding.
“I issued a citation for 46 miles an hour in a 30 zone this morning,” said Kurtz. “Speeds get a little bit high on 36th Avenue. I think it’s because it does hook up with Highway 100.”
The high speeds and traffic flow make it difficult for pedestrians to cross.
“The pedestrian has to cross five legs of traffic, which is a pretty long crossing,” said Mark Ray, Crystal’s public works director. “There is a slight middle refuge area, to kind of break that up, but it’s absolutely a large distance to travel.”
The city wants to make improvements at the crosswalk this summer. Officials are reaching out to the public to get their suggestions.
“We’re also looking at straightening the crosswalk across potentially to try and make that a shorter crossing distance,” said Ray.
Ray says the city is also looking at enhancing the middle median area to provide a little safer buffer for pedestrians. To provide suggestions, residents can email Mark Ray, mark.ray@crystalmn.gov.
