Council discusses future of 59/60 intersection with Nobles Street

The Worthington City Council, gathering in a special meeting Wednesday afternoon, discussed the future of the intersection of U.S. 59/Minnesota 60 and Nobles Street.

Worthington City Engineer Hyunmyeong Goo reported that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) contacted the city regarding safety concerns at the intersection. He explained that the intersection has a crash rate index of 2.74. MnDOT considers any intersection with a crash rate index higher than 1.0 to have a high potential for fatal accidents.

MnDOT has presented multiple options to reduce the crash rate index through new intersection designs.

One would result in the installation of J-turns on U.S. 59/Minnesota 60 and close the Nobles Street crossing. This is expected to reduce the crash rate index to 1.94, with no cost to the city. A second action would install a median through the intersection, allowing only right-in/right-out access. Traffic would use the roundabouts at County State Aid Highway 35 and East Gateway Drive to make U-turns and access Nobles Street. This option would reduce the crash rate index to 1.51, with no cost to the city.

A third option offered by MnDOT and presented Wednesday by Goo is similar to the median option, but includes a downstream median to provide a closer U-turn opportunity for southbound vehicles. MnDOT states this is the safest option, reducing the crash rate index to 0.79, with no cost to the city.

A fourth option is the construction a roundabout at the intersection, maintaining the Nobles Street crossing.  The crash rate index would be reduced to 1.29, but the estimated city cost is approximately $875,000.

Discussion by council members Wednesday led to Goo stating he would look into the possibility of outside funding for a roundabout option.