The city of Hutchinson may get a pedestrian-activated crosswalk signal at the Montana Street and State Highway 7 intersection in the next few years.
The city is applying for the Minnesota Department of Transportation's transportation alternatives grant to fund a HAWK, or high-intensity activated crosswalk, system at about $170,000, according to City Engineer Kent Exner. MnDOT would cover most of the cost, with the city covering about $40,000. The City Council recently passed two resolutions, the first agreeing to act as the sponsoring agency for the project and the second agreeing to operate and maintain it.
The idea for the project came after Hutchinson residents voiced safety concerns about the intersection because it is used to access the Luce Line Trail and the Gopher Campfire Wildlife Sanctuary. Exner said that after speaking with MnDOT he feels confident the city can secure funding.
“MnDOT will have to give final approval, but what we've shown them so far they've been supportive of,” he said. “(Crosswalks) are on the state system, and I don't think it's necessarily right we pay for it in its entirety out of our bonding dollars. This is about the only viable funding source for this type of project.”
Exner said that MnDOT was unwilling to install pedestrian crossing signs since the highway was built in 2007, but due to a resident inquiry, the department will likely add signs in the near future. Aside from the painted asphalt, the crosswalk has been unmarked since the intersection was built.
“It's a busy stretch of road, and I have seen numerous people trying to get across,” said City Council Member Mary Christensen. “It made my heart skip a beat when I saw a lady with two kids in little strollers trying to get across and cars zooming by.”
“(The HAWK crosswalk) is a proactive measure, and this is a conversation I've had with MnDOT,” Exner said. “We don't want to just be reactive when something bad happens.”
