A Google traffic map of Reno and West Superior streets, the busiest intersection in the City of Wayland.
by Joseph Schultz
The Wayland City Council Monday night considered bids for a traffic study at the intersection of Reno and West Superior Streets.
Vriesman & Korhorn (V&K) came in about $3,500 less than Rowe Professional Services. V&K also indicated it wanted to get started right away to avoid the snowy conditions of winter.
Mayor Jennifer Antel said she prefers an earlier start for the study. Antel explained that waiting to the study later might cause the traffic recording devices to be damaged by snow plows.
However, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Kramer pointed out that by doing it in November would not record the high traffic volume going in and out of the General RV Center.
Council member Steven Stepek, who has some experience with traffic studies, explained that the final report from V&K would have a work around seasonal factors.
The council approved a motion to have city manager Erik Wilson to negotiate up to $25,000 for the traffic study that would cover a 24 hour movement.
When asked why the study was necessary, Wilson explained future development will necessitate different traffic infrastructures to accommodate the growth. He cited the desire of the Gun Lake Tribe to develop the southeast corner of Reno and W. Superior, as well as future industrial development on Reno Drive.
Wilson said, “We are just trying to get ahead of the curve.”
Reno/Superior intersection is a piece of cake. Ask any parent leaving the high school in the morning (after dropping off their kid) pre-construction trying to turn left (west) on Superior how easier it is in the morning. It’s quite dangerous. There needs to be a roundabout built there before there is a serious accident.
I agree with Jim. The HS driveway/Superior intersection is very dangerous in the morning.
I was just telling my wife how dangerous it is to drop our kid in the morning.