Joe Drennan
Staff Writer

While the Forest Lake City Council is well versed in roundabouts by now, the Columbus Town Board got a briefing from Washington County Transportation Planner Mike Rodgers on the possible construction of seven roundabouts along W. Broadway Ave.

Rodgers told the board the county originally gave Forest Lake 12 options for bridge improvements, and together they narrowed it down to two, the roundabouts, and compressed diamond ramps.

With business access important, Washington County and Forest Lake decided to go with the roundabouts because it would be easier to access business along Broadway according to Rodgers.

Another positive to the roundabouts is that the Broadway bridge wouldnít have to be replaced for at least 20 years. With the roundabouts, there would be no need for turning lanes on the bridge, making it a four lane bridge to accommodate traffic.

ìLooking at the bridge at CR23 and I-35, one of the things I like here is they donít have to change the bridge, itís the way we get on and off the freeway,î Chairman Mel Mettler said.

ìTo me, thatís the key when the traditional train of thought is to make the bridge bigger.î

With very few roundabouts in the state, Rodgers noted that there will have to be a significant education campaign on how to navigate through them before construction begins, and that is something the County is already working on.

ìWhatever happens in Forest Lake will affect us, so itís good to know whatís going on over there,î Mettler said.

Other news

ï The Board gave Township Engineer Larry Bohrer approval to advertise for bids on the construction of well number one.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605