Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway Intersection

Overview

In 2016, Northfield evaluated the intersection control and analyzed the traffic impact at the Trunk Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway intersection. The Northfield City Council adopted a roundabout as the preferred option for the intersection. Currently, this is an all-way stop.

Improvements are needed at this intersection to alleviate lengthy peak-hour backups and delays, improve pedestrian and bicycle access, improve school ingress/egress and improve safety for all users.

Map

Alternative 1

This roundabout option includes a grade separated pedestrian underpass on the west side of the roundabout connecting the school campus, and an east-west pedestrian underpass for Mill Towns State Trail. The east side of the intersection and north would have at grade pedestrian crossings.

Alternative 2

The roundabout option includes grade separated pedestrian underpasses on all four legs of the intersection. In this scenario all pedestrian and bikes would be separated from vehicle traffic.

Alternative 3

The roundabout option includes grade separated pedestrian underpasses on all four legs of the intersection. Again, with this scenario all pedestrian and bikes would be separated from vehicle traffic. The underpass would end in the center of the roundabout creating a somewhat internal pedestrian-bike roundabout/intersection within the roundabout below grade.

Alternative 4

This roundabout option includes an at grade pedestrian crossing on the west side of the the roundabout connecting the school campus, and an east-west at grade crossing for the Mill Towns State Trail. It would be similar to the Alternative 1 design for the east side of the intersection and north would have at grade pedestrian crossings.

Costs (estimated)

Alternative	Project cost
1	$2,970,000
2	$3,325,000
3	$3,368,000
4	$1,900,000

Project funding available

Funding source	Funds
MnDOT's Local Partnership Program	$483,480
MnDOT's Local Road Improvement Program	$900,000
City Municipal State-Aid	$500,000
Total	$1,883,480

Timeline

August 21, 2019: open house and public input
September 3: City Council approves preferred alternative
September: MnDOT Level 1 Design approval
November-December: final design
January-February 2020: bidding

Why a roundabout?

Studies have shown roundabout are best for traffic flow. They operate at a higher level of service than a stop sign or signal. They reduce confusion that exists at all-way stops.