Lake Road Improvements

With continued traffic volume growth on Pioneer Drive and Lake Road, the existing all-way stop intersection was beginning to show signs of degradation in both pavement condition and traffic capacity during peak times. It was decided that improvements to this intersection should take place in conjunction with the conversion project to reduce traffic impacts to one season.  

Both Middleton Elementary and Lake Middle Schools are located in the southwest quadrant of the intersection and generate large amounts of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The city's evaluation included analyzing the morning school dismissal and evening peak hours to forecast year (2042) traffic volumes. The evaluations included assessing traffic volumes; intersection and roadway safety; pedestrian and bicycle safety; traffic operations; and other factors such as cost and right-of-way impacts.

A signalized intersection and roundabout were analyzed for this intersection after an initial review indicated the existing all way stop would result in unacceptable delays and congestion in the design year of 2042. 

• Comparing roundabout vs. traffic signal (PDF)
• Final Feasibility Report (PDF)

Roundabout Controlled Intersection

Similar to the existing all way stop, a roundabout will require all vehicles to slow down as they approach the intersection, navigate the roundabout, and pass through the crosswalks. The design will promote lower speeds along the roadway corridor while maintaining traffic and pedestrian flow. These slower speeds greatly reduce the chances of severe injuries, especially for pedestrians.

View the proposed Lake Road and Pioneer Drive roundabout design (PDF).

With the roundabout design, there are options to use rectangular rapid flashing beacons at key pedestrian crossings to provide increased pedestrian visibility and promote increased vehicular yielding compliance. These beacons can be installed along the school walking routes to assist crossing guards in alerting incoming traffic that pedestrians are present and looking to make a crossing. These rectangular rapid flashing beacons would be push button activated by pedestrians, and when installed in appropriate locations, have been shown to increase vehicle yielding.

View proposed Lake Road and Pioneer Drive rectangular rapid flashing beacon locations (PDF).

A concrete median will be proposed to extend along Lake Road from the east side of Pioneer Drive to just west of Blue Ridge Drive where a new mid-block crossing will be proposed about 90 feet west of the existing crossing. Shifting this existing crossing will eliminate any vehicles turning left or right at the cross walk thus reducing the distance of roadway lanes and allows pedestrians to cross one lane of traffic in each direction. This will also allow a center median to be constructed and be used as a pedestrian crosswalk refuge as well as promote slower speeds through traffic calming. Rectangular rapid flashing beacons are being considered with this crosswalk to increase visibility and increase vehicle yielding at these key School crossings.

View proposed Lake Road near Blue Ridge Drive crossing design (PDF).

Additional pedestrian crossing enhancements will also be proposed for the crossing at Pioneer Drive and Juniper Lane including the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons.

View proposed Juniper Lane and Pioneer Drive crossing design (PDF).

The proposed improvements are designed to address safety improvements identified in both Middleton Elementary and Lake Middle School's Safe Routes to School plans, as well as address the concerns and feedback that was received during the September public engagement efforts and provide the community with the best solution to aging infrastructure.

Safety Features

Fewer & Less Severe Crashes

Single lane roundabouts reduce vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian conflicts from 32 and 24 down to 8 and 8, respectively, when compared to a traditional single lane all way stop. This reduction in potential conflict zones increases safety.

Safety is increased by simplifying the traffic flow to a single direction and at lower speeds which improves decision making by drivers and pedestrians. A 2018 Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) report indicated Minnesota roundabouts have a reduction of over 60% in pedestrian crashes and a little over 15% reduction in bicycle crashes compared to conventional intersections with the same traffic characteristics. Studies have shown that converting an intersection from a traditional all way stop to a single lane roundabout reduces all crashes by 35% and severe injury crashes by up to 76%. Similarly, converting a signalized intersection to a roundabout will likely see the overall crash rate remain the same, severe injury crashes are reduced by up to 60%. (Source: National Cooperative Highway Research Program.)

Slower Speeds for All Vehicles

One key benefit of a roundabout is their ability to control speeds of all vehicular traffic navigating the intersection. Roundabouts work by impeding free flow traffic to slow all vehicles to a designed speed of approximately 15 mph where they can safely navigate the roundabout. Impeding the free flow traffic creates a traffic calming effect that will promote lower speeds through the corridor and school zone when compared to a traffic signal. The roundabout will promote increased compliance with the school zone speed limit signs and rectangular rapid flashing beacons by promoting slower speeds.

Extended Medians & Additional Pedestrian Improvements

Rectangular rapid flashing beacons (flashing lights activated by pedestrian push buttons) are proposed at crosswalks identified by the school district's walking route plan. Studies have shown these increase vehicle yielding compliance by more than 88% at pedestrian crosswalks.

Roundabouts provide pedestrians the opportunity to cross one lane and a single direction of traffic at a time. Medians in the center of the roadway provide a pedestrian refuge area which reduces crossing distances. The proposed roundabout provides the opportunity for extended medians along Lake Road east of Pioneer Drive, as well as additional medians along Pioneer Drive north and south of Lake Road. The extended medians allow an enhanced pedestrian crossing to be placed at Blue Ridge Drive. This design proposes rectangular rapid flashing beacons, a center median refuge and removes conflicting left and right turn vehicle movements resulting in just one lane of traffic to cross at a time.

Additional pedestrian crossing improvements proposed at Juniper Lane and Pioneer Drive including rectangular rapid flashing beacons will assist pedestrians and crossing guards by alerting traffic of pedestrians trying to cross.

More information on roundabouts

• A Study of the Traffic Safety at Roundabouts in Minnesota - Minnesota Department of Transportation (PDF)
  A comprehensive report regarding the traffic safety performance of roundabouts in the State of Minnesota.
• Roundabouts: An Informational Guide - U.S. Department of Transportation (PDF)
  Guide established in recognition of the diverse needs of transportation professionals and the public for introductory material through design detail, as well as the wide range of potential applications of roundabout intersections.
• Safety Benefits of Roundabouts - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  Information explaining how roundabouts are a safer alternative to traffic signals and stop signs.
• Roundabout U - Washington County
  "Roundabout U" is an outreach program of Washington County to provide guidance and information on a variety of topics related to roundabout design and usage, including instructions for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Resident feedback was collected in September 2020 relating to the existing intersection conditions and potential traffic signal or roundabout improvements. Over 260 responses were received with feedback supporting the need for intersection improvements. Feedback included:

• A desire for traffic calming strategies
• Reduced speed limits
• Limiting traffic delays
• Clear signage at the intersection for both traffic and pedestrians
• A need for better walking and biking infrastructure including consolidated crosswalks, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, increased pedestrian visibility

Another common response was a request for grade-separated crossings for pedestrians. Both bridge and tunnel alternatives were evaluated and it was determined that due to right-of-way needs, utility conflicts, adjacent property impacts, availability of alternate design options and costs of these improvements, grade separated trail crossings are not a recommended solution for this intersection.

See September 2020 survey results summary (PDF).

In April 2021, resident feedback regarding the proposed design was collected. 

View the April 2021 survey results dashboard