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MINUTES OF THE RKCaJLAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETINO <br />HELD SEin EMBER 13, 1993 <br />(#17) DAVE PETERSON - HIGHWAY 12 DISCUSSION - CONT. <br />Mayor Callahan noted iralfic near the school would be affected and there would be economic <br />chanues for the businesses on the Willow corner. He felt the City has been pressing MnDOT <br />as hard as they can. Letters have been written, resolutions passed, meetings have been held, <br />committees have been established from Long Lake and Orono. etc. Mayor Callahan is not <br />opposed to Peterson’s suggestions but he feeis Orono has dt>ne all that can be done at this time. <br />Peterson feels the City has not been listening to the problems because he has been dealing with <br />this issue for over two years and has seen no progress w'ith the highway. He teels others have <br />decided a new highway will "fix" the problem and this is a long way off. If the suggestion for <br />turn restrictions was done, it would not be irreversible it it did not work. He was told by <br />MnDOT that physical barriers would be at MnDOT’s expense. Callahan questioned if Peterson <br />knew how long it would take MnDOT to get authorization to "write the check" for these <br />physical barriers. Peterson asked if that was a reason to do nothing. <br />Peterson understood 'hat there were other upgrades being considered such as the continuation <br />of Daniels, the frontage road along Highway 12. that would alleviate some congestion problems. <br />In addressing commercial concerns, Peterson felt there were other ways to reach these businesses <br />that people would find. .Since there are 20.000 cars driving this highway every day. Peterson <br />feels a safe highway is owed to these users. <br />Kelley commented he may be in favor of no left turns without the pork chop island during rush <br />hours until a long-term solution is completed. Before pursuing this he would like to hear <br />comments from the public and surrounding businesses. He ag.'ced there are many close calls for <br />accidents at this intersection. Peterson feels that siiice MnDOT is suggesting the temporary <br />solution that it should be considered. Kelley would like to see what the costs and ramitications <br />would be of putting in "no left turn" signage. <br />Goetten added that there is a Willow Drive/Highway 12 committee meeting with MnDOT <br />representatives this week to see what can be done reali.stically by the Council. <br />Peterson reiterated that the signs could come down if they did not work. He wanted to know <br />when he could expect an answer and does not want to see it pigeon-holed again. <br />Mayor Callahan replied that the issue has not been pigeon-holed. A Task Force has met in the <br />last two im>nths with representatives of Long Lake and MnDOT to see what is feasible tor this <br />intersection and whether Long Lake’s traffic could be moved through Orono. Another meeting <br />is scheduled.