The Benefits of the Collaborative Process of Compromise:
A Case Study from Alexandria, MN
Jack Forslund, PTP – WSB & Associates, Inc.
Reuben Collins, EIT – WSB & Associates, Inc.
Karin Tank – City of Alexandria
The City of Alexandria is a beautiful city of approximately 13,000 in west-central Minnesota. Alexandria offers its residents and visitors numerous lakes, parks and trails for recreation, a strong economy and a vibrant downtown filled with numerous commercial establishments. Immediately north of downtown is the Central Lakes State Trail, which is a 55-mile asphalt trail linking three counties
Working with a Steering Committee consisting of representatives from area agencies and businesses, the first step was to identify a “catalogue” of potential pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure enhancements that may have application throughout the area. A more focused analysis was conducted to identify a preferred strategy to improve the bicycle and pedestrian crossing of 3rd Avenue, particularly at a location between the signalized intersections of 3rd Avenue at Broadway and Nokomis Street. The intersection of Jefferson Street with 3rd Avenue was identified as a key location where additional pedestrian enhancements would be particularly helpful. The intersection located roughly halfway between Broadway and Nokomis Street, and Jefferson Street has been identified by the City of Alexandria as a bicycle route through the City connecting the high school, Alexandria Technical College, and major employers.
Three alternatives were developed to present a range of options surrounding a central theme, which generally consisted of a median or pedestrian island, an enhanced crosswalk, and one of two types of pedestrian actuated signals. It was determined that the most significant barrier facing pedestrians and cyclists in the area is the overall width of 3rd Avenue and the lack of gaps in the traffic stream appropriate to cross the entire street at once. The alternative preferred by the City and County included the construction of a pedestrian refuge island within the center-turn lane on the western approach of the 3rd Avenue and Jefferson Street intersection. The alternative also prohibited vehicles from making an eastbound left-turn movement to avoid queues from forming in the eastbound through lanes and to improve intersection safety. A more visible crosswalk would also be painted, and a pedestrian actuated signal would be installed (either a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk [HAWK] signal or Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons [RRFBs]). Shown below is a rendering of how the initial improvement measure would look upon implementation.
The project is an example of how project stakeholders initially approach a problem with differing objectives, but through a process of compromise and collaboration, a preferred alternative can be agreed upon. This process of collaboration can build positive working relationships that can influence future projects. The project resulted in collaboration between the City, County, and Mn/DOT to add a pedestrian refuge island to a Trunk Highway. Initially, the County hired WSB to prepare several alternatives to help pedestrians cross 3rd Avenue. However, since 3rd Avenue is a state highway, the City and County had to work closely with Mn/DOT to gain approval. As discussions began, Mn/DOT expressed some concerns about some of the strategies the City and County wanted to use. In the end, all parties were able to come to an agreement about how to enhance the pedestrian crossing. Shortly thereafter, the City began a streetscape project on nearby Broadway, which is also a state highway.
Based on the positive working relationships developed through the 3rd Avenue project, the City, County, and Mn/DOT were able to work more effectively and efficiently on the Broadway streetscape project. In 2011, the City secured funding for construction of the project. [ Back ]